Sex Differences and Self-Reported Attention Problems During Baseline Concussion Testing.
Amateur athletic programs often use computerized cognitive testing as part of their concussion management programs. There is evidence that athletes with preexisting attention problems will have worse cognitive performance and more symptoms at baseline testing. The purpose of this study was to examine whether attention problems affect assessments differently for male and female athletes. Participants were drawn from a database that included 6,840 adolescents from Maine who completed Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) at baseline (primary outcome measure). The final sample included 249 boys and 100 girls with self-reported attention problems. Each participant was individually matched for sex, age, number of past concussions, and sport to a control participant (249 boys, 100 girls). Boys with attention problems had worse reaction time than boys without attention problems. Girls with attention problems had worse visual-motor speed than girls without attention problems. Boys with attention problems reported more total symptoms, including more cognitive-sensory and sleep-arousal symptoms, compared with boys without attention problems. Girls with attention problems reported more cognitive-sensory, sleep-arousal, and affective symptoms than girls without attention problems. When considering the assessment, management, and outcome from concussions in adolescent athletes, it is important to consider both sex and preinjury attention problems regarding cognitive test results and symptom reporting.
a Neurosciences Program (Brain Injury and Rehabilitation) , Alberta Children's Hospital , Calgary , Alberta , Canada.|b Departments of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine , University of Calgary , Calgary , Alberta , Canada.|c Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute , University of Calgary , Calgary , Alberta , Canada.
Brian L
BL
Brooks
d Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Harvard Medical School.|e Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, MassGeneral Hospital for Children Sports Concussion Program.|f Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program , Boston , Massachusetts.
Grant L
GL
Iverson
g Department of Psychology , Colby College , Waterville , Maine.
Joseph E
JE
Atkins
f Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Home Base Program , Boston , Massachusetts.|h Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation , Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
Ross
R
Zafonte
i Health Services and Department of Biology , Colby College , Waterville , Maine.
Paul D
PD
Berkner
D000293:Adolescent; D056352:Athletes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D001288:Attention / Q000502:physiology*; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D038223:Post-Concussion Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D057566:Self Report; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data
TBI; adolescents; baseline; children; gender; return to play