title: The neuropsychological impact of sports-related concussion: a meta-analysis.
abstract: There is increasing interest in the potential neuropsychological impact of sports-related concussion. A meta-analysis of the relevant literature was conducted to determine the impact of sports-related concussion across six cognitive domains. The analysis was based on 21 studies involving 790 cases of concussion and 2014 control cases. The overall effect of concussion (d = 0.49) was comparable to the effect found in the non-sports-related mild traumatic brain injury population (d = 0.54; Belanger et al., 2005). Using sports-concussed participants with a history of prior head injury appears to inflate the effect sizes associated with the current sports-related concussion. Acute effects (within 24 hr of injury) of concussion were greatest for delayed memory, memory acquisition, and global cognitive functioning (d = 1.00, 1.03, and 1.42, respectively). However, no residual neuropsychological impairments were found when testing was completed beyond 7 days postinjury. These findings were moderated by cognitive domain and comparison group (control group versus preconcussion self-control). Specifically, delayed memory in studies utilizing a control group remained problematic at 7 days. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.
authors.affiliation: James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation-117, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612, USA. Heather.Belanger@med.va.gov
authors.forename: Heather G
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Belanger
authors.forename: Rodney D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Vanderploeg
mesh_terms: D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies