No Obvious Cumulative Effects in Male Athletes with One or Two Previous Concussions

J Int Neuropsychol Soc -

14(s1):225.

Iverson, G. L., R. J. Echemendia and B. L. Brooks.

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Abstract:

Objective: Researchers have reported mixed findings regarding the possibility of lingering effects of one or two previous concussions in athletes. The purpose of this study was to examine whether athletes with a history of one or two previous concussions differed on their preseason neuropsychological test performance or symptom reporting. Participants and Methods: Participants were 647 male athletes who completed preseason testing with ImPACT Version 2.0. Participants were sorted into three groups on the basis of concussion history. There were 518 athletes with no previous concussions, 100 with one, and 30 with two past concussions. Their most recent concussion occurred between 4 and 48 months prior to the baseline evaluation (M=21.7, SD=11.7, IQR=11-29 months). Results: Multivariate analysis of variance was conducted using the Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Reaction Time, Processing Speed, and Impulse Control composite scores as dependent variables and group membership as the independent variable. There was no significant multivariate effect, nor were there any significant main effects for individual scores. There was a nonsignificant trend toward athletes with two prior concussions having slower reaction times. The groups did not differ in symptom reporting on the Post-Concussion Scale. Conclusions: In this study, there was no obvious measurable effect of one or two previous concussions on athletes’ preseason neuropsychological test performance or symptom reporting. If there is a cumulative effect of one or two previous concussions, it is very small. These findings replicate a previous study that found no obvious lingering effects of 1-2 previous concussions

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