Citation

Macciocchi SN, Barth JT, Littlefield L, Cantu RC. J. Athl. Train. 2001; 36(3): 303-306.

Affiliation

Shepherd Center and Emory University, Atlanta, GA.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2001, National Athletic Trainers' Association (USA))

DOI

unavailable

PMID

12937500

PMCID

PMC155422

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To document neurocognitive and neurobehavioral consequences of 1 versus 2 concussions. DESIGN AND SETTING: Nonequivalent, pretest-posttest cohort design with multiple dependent measures. Participants were selected from a large sample of athletes who participated in a comprehensive, multiuniversity study of football-related concussion. SUBJECTS: College football players who sustained 1 and 2 grade 1 concussive injuries were matched for age, education, and duration of competitive football. MEASUREMENTS: Neuropsychological tests and symptoms checklists.

RESULTS: Multivariate analysis of variance did not show a statistically significant difference in test performance between players with 1 or 2 concussions. Chi square analyses revealed that concussions significantly increased the number of symptom complaints, but symptoms returned to baseline by 10 days postinjury. The effects of 2 injuries did not appear to be significantly greater than that of a single injury. Differences in response to concussion were observed.

CONCLUSIONS: Neurocognitive and neurobehavioral consequences of 2 concussions did not appear to be significantly different from those of 1 concussion, but methodologic issues place limitations on data interpretation. Additional studies are needed to clarify the neuropsychological consequences of multiple concussions.

Keywords: American football

Language: en