Citation

Wilmoth K, Curcio N, Tarkenton T, Meredith-Duliba T, Tan A, Didehbani N, Hynan LS, Miller SM, Bell KR, Cullum CM. Arch. Clin. Neuropsychol. 2019; ePub(ePub): ePub.

Affiliation

Departments of Neurology & Neurotherapeutics and Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1093/arclin/acz061

PMID

31768516

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Variability in recovery time following sport-related concussion (SRC) is poorly understood. We explored the utility of brief mood, anxiety, and sleep questionnaires as postinjury predictors of SRC symptom clearance in adolescents.

METHOD: At initial visit 0-2 weeks postinjury, concussed athletes aged 12-18 years self-reported injury/medical factors (prior concussion, loss of consciousness, amnesia, and concussion symptom severity) and were administered psychological symptom measures. At 3 months, medical record review determined return-to-play (RTP) date. Subjects were divided into two datasets, with the first utilized for developing cutoff scores and then validated with the second dataset.

RESULTS: A total of 64% of the 141 participants had early RTP (within 21 days postinjury), and 23% had late RTP (postinjury day 30 or later). The Generalized Anxiety Disorder Screener (GAD-7, M = 2.1, SD = 3.1) was the only significant predictor (p = .001), with a 1.4-fold [95% CI 1.2-1.8] increased risk for every point. No other factors in the full model discriminated recovery groups (ps > .05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis derived a GAD-7 cut score ≥3 (sensitivity= 56.7%, specificity = 74.2%, AUCs = 0.63-0.79, ps < .001).

CONCLUSIONS: Postconcussion anxiety symptoms may help identify individuals at increased risk for prolonged recovery.

© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permission@oup.com.

Language: en

Keywords

Adolescent psychology; Athletes; Concussion; Neuropsychological rehabilitation; Psychological screening inventory; Sports