Citation

Cusimano MD, Chipman M, Donnelly P, Hutchison MG. Br. J. Sports Med. 2014; 48(2): 141-146.

Affiliation

Division of Neurosurgery, St Michael's Hospital, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, BMJ Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1136/bjsports-2012-091660

PMID

23918445

Abstract

BACKGROUND: With the heightened awareness of concussions in all sports, the development and implementation of effective prevention strategies are necessary. Education has been advocated as an effective injury prevention intervention. PURPOSE: To examine the effectiveness of the 'Smart Hockey: More Safety, More Fun' video on knowledge transfer among minor league hockey players. STUDY DESIGN: Cluster-randomised controlled trial. METHODS: A total of 267 participants from two age divisions and competitive levels were assigned to either a video or no-video group. The video was shown (or not shown) to the entire team as a result of random assignment. To evaluate the effectiveness of the educational video, questionnaires specific to concussion knowledge and players' attitudes and behaviours were completed. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in the players' concussion knowledge scores immediately following exposure to the video (F(1,103)=27.00, p<0.001). However, concussion knowledge at 2 months was not significantly different between the video and no-video groups, after controlling for prior knowledge level, age and competitive level (F(1,115)=0.41, p=0.523). Similarly, players' attitudes and behaviour scores at 2 months did not differ between groups (F(1,115)=0.41, p=0.507). CONCLUSIONS: We were able to show that a single viewing of an educational video in hockey could immediately improve knowledge about concussion but that this effect was transient and lost at 2-month follow-up. Future prevention endeavours in hockey and other sports should attempt to incorporate strategies and modalities to enhance knowledge retention.

Language: en