Search results

(1 - 2 of 2)

Title

GENDER DIFFERENCES IN POSTCONCUSSIVE SYMPTOMS OF SPORT-RELATED CONCUSSIONS IN CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Creator

Gretencord Roy, Ashley Aline

Date

2016, 2016-07

Description

Current research on concussions indicates that both younger age and female gender are associated with a greater number of symptoms and a...
Show moreCurrent research on concussions indicates that both younger age and female gender are associated with a greater number of symptoms and a lengthier postconcussive recovery time. The aim of this research was to examine postconcussive symptoms (PCS) resulting from a sports-related concussion in both male and female children/adolescents. Data was collected using neuropsychology measures (Auditory Consonant Trigrams Test, Conners' Continuous Performance Test-2nd edition, Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement- Third Edition, and Behavior Assessment System for Children-2nd edition) and a neurological evaluation. Participants included 132 children/adolescents (10-18 years) who had sustained a sports-related concussion. Results indicated evidence of subtle, but clinically significant, impairments in executive functioning. This was particularly true for those with a premorbid attention, learning, and/or mood disorder. In addition, a history of previous concussions was associated with a higher number of reported cognitive PCS. Hierarchical regression analyses were conducted for each of the dependent measures. As predicted, female gender was associated with increased executive dysfunction and a higher report of cognitive and emotional/behavioral PCS. Contrary to hypotheses, younger age was associated with less executive dysfunction and fewer reported cognitive PCS. No interaction between age and gender was identified. Implications of the findings are discussed.
Ph.D. in Psychology, July 2016
Show less

Title

THE IMPACT OF MECHANISM OF INJURY ON POSTCONCUSSIVE SYMPTOMS

Creator

Aylward, Stephanie A

Date

2017, 2017-05

Description

The complex factors associated with assessment and treatment of pediatric concussion are still not well understood. Currently, the majority of...
Show moreThe complex factors associated with assessment and treatment of pediatric concussion are still not well understood. Currently, the majority of pediatric concussion research focuses on sport-related concussions (SRC), despite the large number of youth who sustain non-sport-related concussions (NSRC). Because participation in sports represents an important pre- and post-injury factor that can affect postconcussive outcomes for youth, the aim of this study was to examine differences in youth diagnosed with SRC compared to NSRC (e.g., fall, gym injury, motor vehicle accident, accidental blunt trauma, assault). Participants included 298 children/adolescents (8- to18-years) who sustained a concussion (212 = SRC). Neuropsychological measures and questionnaires were administered to assess working memory (Auditory Consonant Trigram Test; ACT), memory (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing; ImPACT), attention (Conners’ Continuous Performance Test, 2nd Ed.; CPT-II), reading and math fluency (Woodcock-Johnson, 3rd and 4th Ed.; WJ-III; WJ-IV), and parent- and self-report of executive function (Behavior Rating of Executive Function; BRIEF) and internalizing symptoms (Behavior Assessment System for Children, 2nd Ed.; BASC-2). A MANCOVA (days since injury as covariate) was conducted to examine differences between youth with SRC compared to youth with NSRC. As predicted, youth with NSRC performed significantly worse than youth with SRC on the ACT, ImPACT Memory, and WJ math fluency. Contrary to hypotheses, there were no differences between groups on the CPTII, WJ reading fluency, BRIEF, or BASC-2. Results of this study provide clinically relevant information regarding how mechanism of injury impacts postconcussive recovery in youth.
M.S. in Psychology, May 2017
Show less