The neuropsychology of sport concussion

Weber, Mareen (2010). The neuropsychology of sport concussion. University of Birmingham. Ph.D.

Preview

Weber10PhD.pdf
PDF
Download (2MB)

Abstract

This thesis presents four empirical chapters that challenge current sport concussion research and practice. Chapter 2 measured sport concussion knowledge in the UK general public using an online survey. It showed high sport concussion awareness, but limited and erroneous understanding. Chapter 3 examined the effect of terminology (i.e., concussion; mild traumatic brain injury, mTBI; minor head injury, mHI) on familiarity, injury outcome expectations and symptom self-report in athletes using a questionnaire. The mTBI terminology was the least familiar, reliably more negative conceptualised, but knowledge was more accurate than the other two. Symptom self-report did not vary with terminology or injury history. Chapter 4 compared the late neuropsychological functioning in self-reported sport-concussed to non-concussed athletes using a comprehensive test battery. Injury self-report was associated with worse memory recall and executive function shifting. Chapter 5 piloted a computerised neuropsychological test battery in athletes using a longitudinal control group design. A single case study showed transient deﬁcits in memory recall and executive function at one to six weeks post-concussion. The overall data suggest that (i) education is needed; (ii) the interchangeable terminology use is inappropriate; (iii) sport concussion assessment should be complemented by memory recall and executive function tests; (iv) case studies might be more appropriate than group comparisons.

Type of Work:

Thesis (Doctorates > Ph.D.)

Award Type:

Doctorates > Ph.D.

Supervisor(s):