Citation

Valovich McLeod T, Bay RC, Lam KC, Snyder Valier AR. J. Head Trauma Rehabil. 2019; 34(1): E1-E9.

Affiliation

Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences, School of Osteopathic Medicine (Drs Valovich McLeod and Valier), Department of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences (Drs Bay and Lam) A.T. Still University, Mesa, Arizona.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins)

DOI

10.1097/HTR.0000000000000394

PMID

29863613

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the association between concussion recovery and health-related quality of life (HRQOL). SETTING: Secondary school athletic training facilities. PARTICIPANTS: Patients (N = 122) with a concussion. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal cohort. MAIN MEASURES: The Pediatric Quality-of-Life Inventory (PedsQL), PedsQL Multidimensional Fatigue Scale (MFS), and Headache Impact Test-6 (HIT-6) were completed at preseason and days 3 (D3), 10 (D10), and 30 (D30) postconcussion. The independent variable was the recovery group.

RESULTS: Interactions between group and time (P <.001) were noted for all PedsQL subscales, except Social Functioning (P =.75). Significantly lower scores were found among Prolonged than in Short on D3 (P <.05). Significant interactions (P <.001) were also noted for all MFS subscales. Pairwise comparisons for General and Sleep subscales revealed Prolonged had lower scores than Short and Moderate on D3 and D10. A group by time interaction was found for the HIT-6 (P <.001), with scores being higher (P <.01) in Prolonged than in Short on D3 and D10.

CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents with a prolonged recovery demonstrated lower HRQOL in the immediate days postinjury, particularly in physical and school functioning, fatigue, and headache. There was a strong association between recovery length and school functioning. Additional research is needed to understand how to minimize the impact of concussion on HRQOL.

Language: en