TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2017//
TI  - Utility of providing a concussion definition in the assessment of concussion history in former NFL players
JO  - Brain injury
A1  - Alosco, Michael L.
A1  - Jarnagin, Johnny
A1  - Tripodis, Yorghos
A1  - Martin, Brett
A1  - Chaisson, Christine
A1  - Baugh, Christine M.
A1  - Torres, Alcy
A1  - Nowinski, Christopher J.
A1  - Cantu, Robert C.
A1  - Stern, Robert A.
SP  - 1116
EP  - 1123
VL  - 31
IS  - 8
N2  - OBJECTIVE: Former National Football League (NFL) players' working knowledge of concussion has not yet been evaluated, despite this population being a major clinical research target due to the association between repetitive head impacts (RHI) and long-term clinical impairments. This study examined former NFL players' understanding of the current concussion definition, and the association between number of concussions with clinical function. <br><br>METHODS: 95 former NFL players (mean age = 55.29; mean NFL year = 8.10) self-reported number of concussions before being provided with a concussion definition and after being read a modern definition of concussion. Subjects reported number of concussions with loss of consciousness (LOC). Principal Component Analysis of a battery of tests generated behaviour/mood, psychomotor speed/executive function, and verbal and visual memory factor scores. <br><br>RESULTS: Post-definition number of concussions (median = 50) was five times the pre-definition (median = 10; p < 0.001). Greater pre- (p = 0.019) and post-definition concussions (p = 0.036) correlated with worse behaviour/mood scores, after controlling for years of football played, with specific effects for depressive symptoms and impulsivity. LOC did not account for variance beyond number of concussions. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Practitioners and clinical researchers should provide a definition of concussion in the assessment of concussion history in former football players to facilitate accuracy and standardization.    Keywords: American football<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 0269-9052
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/02699052.2017.1294709
ID  - ref1
ER  -