INS NYC 2024 Program

Poster	Poster Session 03 Program Schedule 02/15/2024 09:30 am - 10:40 am Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60) Poster Session 03: Neurotrauma \| Neurovascular Final Abstract #35 The Impact of Methodology on Self-Reported Concussion Assessment: A Study on Female Athletes Ingunn Kristensen Unnsteinsdóttir Kristensen, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland Hafrún Kristjansdóttir, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland Rannveig Sigurvinsdóttir, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland Helga Sigurjónsdóttir, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland Lára Eggertsdóttir Claessen, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland María Jónsdóttir, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland Category: Concussion/Mild TBI (Adult) Keyword 1: head injury (closed) Keyword 2: self-report Keyword 3: traumatic brain injury Objective: This study examined how different methodologies influence self-reported concussion history among female athletes and the relationship with symptoms. Participants and Methods: A total of 143 female athletes (M_age=28, SD_age=7.3), both active (46.9%) and retired (54.1 %), with a history of self-reported concussions, participated in the study. The study employed a mixed-methods design involving an online questionnaire and in-person interviews. During an online survey, participants were initially asked if they had experienced concussions and, if so, to provide the number. Following their answer, participants were presented with a concussion definition based on the Berlin Consensus statement, and the same question was posed again to assess potential changes in reported concussions. Participants who reported concussions following the definition were invited for an in-person semi-structured interview to obtain detailed recollections of specific concussion incidents. Trained interviewers conducted the interviews using a semi-structured format, ensuring participants had the opportunity to describe the incidents in their own words. Participants were asked about the first and the most severe incident, as well as any additional incidents they could recall. The interviews aimed to minimise biased responses by allowing participants to express their experiences and memories openly without leading questions. Participants were categorised into groups based on their reported concussion counts in each condition, representing concussion history (zero concussion, one concussion, two to three, four to five, and six or more). Conditions were then compared to assess changes in the number of reported concussions depending on the method used to obtain them. The relationship between concussion history and current symptoms was evaluated in each condition by using the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool, fifth edition. Results: The study revealed significant changes in self-reported concussion counts based on the methodology employed. When participants were grouped by the number of reported concussions into two groups (one concussion vs two or more), and into more detailed categories (zero, one, two to three, four to five, and six or more concussions) the reported counts varied between conditions (F(1.81) = 52.71, p<0.05 and F(2.40) = 8.99, p<0.05, respectively). Providing participants with a concussion definition led to a change in reported concussion counts, highlighting the importance of education. Furthermore, the relationship between reported concussions and current symptoms differed based on the assessment method. Participants reporting two or more concussions reported more symptoms than participants reporting one only in the first (t(77.88) = -3.20, p<0.05) and the fourth (t(57.53) = -2.87, p<0.05) condition. Participants with multiple concussions exhibited significantly higher symptom scores in the first condition (before receiving the concussion definition). (F(4) = 6.99, p<0,05) and when recounting specific incidents (fourth condition), (F(3)= 2.77, p<0.05). Conclusions: Self-report will continue to be an important source of information when studying concussions. This study underscores the importance of methodology in obtaining accurate and reliable self-reported concussion data. Clear concussion definitions and adequate, but non-leading, questioning about specific incidents are important for consistent results. This research contributes to enhancing the understanding of self-reported concussion data and its implications for concussion-related research.

Poster

02/15/2024
09:30 am - 10:40 am
Room: Shubert Complex (Posters 1-60)

Poster Session 03: Neurotrauma | Neurovascular

Final Abstract #35

The Impact of Methodology on Self-Reported Concussion Assessment: A Study on Female Athletes

Ingunn Kristensen Unnsteinsdóttir Kristensen, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland
Hafrún Kristjansdóttir, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland
Rannveig Sigurvinsdóttir, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland
Helga Sigurjónsdóttir, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
Lára Eggertsdóttir Claessen, University of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
María Jónsdóttir, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland

Category: Concussion/Mild TBI (Adult)

Keyword 1: head injury (closed)
Keyword 2: self-report
Keyword 3: traumatic brain injury

Objective:

This study examined how different methodologies influence self-reported concussion history among female athletes and the relationship with symptoms.

Participants and Methods:

A total of 143 female athletes (M_age=28, SD_age=7.3), both active (46.9%) and retired (54.1 %), with a history of self-reported concussions, participated in the study. The study employed a mixed-methods design involving an online questionnaire and in-person interviews. During an online survey, participants were initially asked if they had experienced concussions and, if so, to provide the number. Following their answer, participants were presented with a concussion definition based on the Berlin Consensus statement, and the same question was posed again to assess potential changes in reported concussions. Participants who reported concussions following the definition were invited for an in-person semi-structured interview to obtain detailed recollections of specific concussion incidents. Trained interviewers conducted the interviews using a semi-structured format, ensuring participants had the opportunity to describe the incidents in their own words. Participants were asked about the first and the most severe incident, as well as any additional incidents they could recall. The interviews aimed to minimise biased responses by allowing participants to express their experiences and memories openly without leading questions. Participants were categorised into groups based on their reported concussion counts in each condition, representing concussion history (zero concussion, one concussion, two to three, four to five, and six or more). Conditions were then compared to assess changes in the number of reported concussions depending on the method used to obtain them. The relationship between concussion history and current symptoms was evaluated in each condition by using the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool, fifth edition.

Results:

The study revealed significant changes in self-reported concussion counts based on the methodology employed. When participants were grouped by the number of reported concussions into two groups (one concussion vs two or more), and into more detailed categories (zero, one, two to three, four to five, and six or more concussions) the reported counts varied between conditions (F(1.81) = 52.71, p<0.05 and F(2.40) = 8.99, p<0.05, respectively). Providing participants with a concussion definition led to a change in reported concussion counts, highlighting the importance of education. Furthermore, the relationship between reported concussions and current symptoms differed based on the assessment method. Participants reporting two or more concussions reported more symptoms than participants reporting one only in the first (t(77.88) = -3.20, p<0.05) and the fourth (t(57.53) = -2.87, p<0.05) condition. Participants with multiple concussions exhibited significantly higher symptom scores in the first condition (before receiving the concussion definition). (F(4) = 6.99, p<0,05) and when recounting specific incidents (fourth condition), (F(3)= 2.77, p<0.05).

Conclusions:

Self-report will continue to be an important source of information when studying concussions. This study underscores the importance of methodology in obtaining accurate and reliable self-reported concussion data. Clear concussion definitions and adequate, but non-leading, questioning about specific incidents are important for consistent results. This research contributes to enhancing the understanding of self-reported concussion data and its implications for concussion-related research.