P R McCrory1, T Ariens, S F Berkovic. 1. Department of Medicine (Neurology), University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. pmccrory@compuserve.com
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to document the nature and temporal profile of the clinical symptoms of acute sport-related concussion. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study PATIENT POPULATION: A total of 303 elite Australian football players participating in a national competition during a single season. OUTCOME MEASURES: Number and duration of symptoms, digit symbol substitution test (DSST) scores, time of return to play post injury. RESULTS: A total of 23 concussions were recorded over the course of the 20-week football season. No catastrophic head injuries occurred. Headache was the most common symptom and the most persistent, with 40% of players reporting headache symptoms lasting more than 15 minutes. Ten of the players (43%) returned to sport on the day of the injury with the remainder resuming play within 2 weeks. A low likelihood of return to play on the day of injury was found where 3 or more symptoms were present or where the symptoms lasted more than 15 minutes. These findings were significantly correlated with poor DSST performance. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that both the number of postconcussive symptoms and their duration may be used as a measure of injury severity and a guide for return to play.
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this pilot study was to document the nature and temporal profile of the clinical symptoms of acute sport-related concussion. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study PATIENT POPULATION: A total of 303 elite Australian football players participating in a national competition during a single season. OUTCOME MEASURES: Number and duration of symptoms, digit symbol substitution test (DSST) scores, time of return to play post injury. RESULTS: A total of 23 concussions were recorded over the course of the 20-week football season. No catastrophic head injuries occurred. Headache was the most common symptom and the most persistent, with 40% of players reporting headache symptoms lasting more than 15 minutes. Ten of the players (43%) returned to sport on the day of the injury with the remainder resuming play within 2 weeks. A low likelihood of return to play on the day of injury was found where 3 or more symptoms were present or where the symptoms lasted more than 15 minutes. These findings were significantly correlated with poor DSST performance. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study suggests that both the number of postconcussive symptoms and their duration may be used as a measure of injury severity and a guide for return to play.
Authors: Kevin M Guskiewicz; Scott L Bruce; Robert C Cantu; Michael S Ferrara; James P Kelly; Michael McCrea; Margot Putukian; Tamara C Valovich McLeod Journal: J Athl Train Date: 2004-09 Impact factor: 2.860
Authors: K M Guskiewicz; S L Bruce; R C Cantu; M S Ferrara; J P Kelly; M McCrea; M Putukian; T C Valovich McLeod Journal: Br J Sports Med Date: 2006-01 Impact factor: 13.800
Authors: P McCrory; K Johnston; W Meeuwisse; M Aubry; R Cantu; J Dvorak; T Graf-Baumann; J Kelly; M Lovell; P Schamasch Journal: Br J Sports Med Date: 2005-04 Impact factor: 13.800