Utility of Brief Psychological Measures for Prediction of Prolonged Symptom Clearance in Concussed Student Athletes. (26th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wilmoth, Kristin; Curcio, Nicholas; Tarkenton, Tahnae; Meredith-Duliba, Tawny; Tan, Alexander; Didehbani, Nyaz; Hynan, Linda S; Miller, Shane M; Bell, Kathleen R; Cullum, C Munro
• Is Part Of: Archives of clinical neuropsychology. Volume 36:Number 3(2021)
• Page Start: 430
• Page End: 436
• Publication Date: 2019-11-26
• Subjects: Concussion -- Athletes -- Sports -- Adolescent psychology -- Psychological screening inventory -- Neuropsychological rehabilitation; Clinical neuropsychology -- Periodicals; 616.805
• DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acz061
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-6177

Abstract

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 ( p s > .05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis derived a GAD-7 cut score ≥3 (sensitivity= 56.7%, specificity = 74.2%, AUCs = 0.63–0.79, p s < .001). Conclusions: Postconcussion anxiety symptoms may help identify individuals at increased risk for prolonged recovery.