Prevalence of Concussion Among US Adolescents and Correlated Factors

Abstract

Little is known about the prevalence and correlates of concussions among US adolescents. A regional study of Canadian adolescents found that approximately 20% had sustained a concussion. 1,2 Providing a national baseline of concussion prevalence and correlates is necessary to target and monitor prevention efforts to reduce these types of injuries during this important developmental period.

Social support during youth concussion recovery

“…In line with our ontological and epistemological assumptions that youth are the "experts" of their concussion experiences, and therefore in the best position to enhance our knowledge of relevant social supports, we purposively sampled youth with a history of concussion (21). Inclusion criteria included [1] 12-21 years of age; [2] self-reported history of concussion while in high-school; and [3] enrolled in, or attended high-school within the past 4 months. Participants were excluded if they [1] were non-English speaking; [2] had begun attending post-secondary school, and/or [3] did not have the capacity to consent.…”

“…Inclusion criteria included [1] 12-21 years of age; [2] self-reported history of concussion while in high-school; and [3] enrolled in, or attended high-school within the past 4 months. Participants were excluded if they [1] were non-English speaking; [2] had begun attending post-secondary school, and/or [3] did not have the capacity to consent. Participants were recruited from the community, and clinical and research programmes at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital.…”

“…A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by biomechanical forces to the head, neck, or body, resulting in a heterogeneous range of physical, cognitive, sleep-related, and emotional symptoms (1). Concussions are a frequent pediatric injury, with 19.5% of youth reporting a diagnosis of concussion in their lifetime (2,3). The emotional sequelae of concussion (e.g.…”

“…Social support is defined as an exchange of resources between two individuals with the goal of enhancing the wellbeing of the recipient (13) and can include [1] emotional (i.e. building a sense of social inclusion, reassurance, and care) (14,15); [2] tangible (i.e. direct practical aid such as physical, or monetary support) (15); and [3] informational (i.e.…”

Adolescent Sports-Related Concussion: US Healthcare Access, Finance, and Delivery

“…According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program [16], during 2001-2009, the activities associated with the greatest estimated number of mTBI-related ED visits were bicycling, football, playground activities, basketball and soccer among persons older than 19-years, all which could be grouped under the label of SRC. The reported prevalence of a single diagnosed SRC in US high school students age 12 to 18 years in 2016 of 19.5% [17] is similar to regional US surveys [5] and far exceeds the 5% estimate of mTBI visits among adolescents to US EDs by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) [18], suggesting the need for uniformity in reporting of concussion and mTBI in adolescents. The term SRC and mTBI are heretofore interchangeable.…”