Quality of life of ice hockey players after retirement due to concussions

Abstract

Background: Sports-related concussion (SRC) is increasingly recognized as a potential health problem in ice hockey. Quality of life (QoL) in players retiring due to SRC has not been thoroughly addressed. Materials & methods: QoL using the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition, Impact of Event Scale-Revised and Short Form Health Survey was measured in Swedish ice hockey players who retired due to persistence of postconcussion symptoms or fear of attaining additional SRC. Results: A total of 76 players were assessed, on average of 5 years after their most recent SRC. Overall, retired players had a high burden of postconcussion symptoms and reduced QoL. Conclusion: Retired concussed ice hockey players have a reduced QoL, particularly those retiring due to postconcussion symptoms. Symptom burden should be continuously evaluated and guide the decision to retire.

Providing a clearer insight into how sport-related concussion and physical pain impact mental health, cognition, and quality of life

“…These findings support previous literature that have found physical pain to be associated with poor mental health 14,16 and reduced quality of life. 29,30 However, this study brings into question studies that conclude concussion is responsible for negative changes to mental health and quality of life, that do not account for physical pain. 3,4,7,8 As concussion and physical pain often co-exist, 9,10 it could be that previous studies have misattributed these negative consequences to concussion, where in fact physical pain may be the responsible factor.…”

“…Additionally, physical pain was significantly associated with poor mental health and reduced quality of life, supporting previous literature that deems this to be the case. 29,30 The effect on quality of life was stronger than any effect on mental health measures, and just under twice as strong as the effect on trait-anxiety. Given what we know about the link between physical pain and depression, 14,16 and depression and quality of life, 59 it is sensible to treat them similarly.…”

“…Considering there is evidence that SRC and physical pain are associated poorer mental health 12,13,17 and cognitive impairment, 24,25 it is unsurprising that these factors are also associated with reduced quality of life. 29,30 It is possible that the two broad outcomes could negatively impact quality of life. For example, impaired cognition leading to individuals struggling to complete daily tasks could negatively impact quality of life.…”

“…Although there is evidence that SRC negatively impacts mental health such as depression 12,13 and anxiety, 17 areas of cognition such as cognitive flexibility, 24,25 and quality of life, 29,31,34 the role that physical pain has on these outcomes is still ambiguous. This is due to evidence that physical pain can also lead to poorer mental health, 14,16 impaired cognition, 26,27 and reduced quality of life.…”

Welcome to Volume 6 of Concussion

“…The research group found that many players felt that they had lost their identity as a player, and often struggled to develop an off-the-ice persona or find other sources of meaning in their lives. Engstrom was also an author on our final paper, this time with lead author Anna Gard (Lund University, Sweden) and colleagues [ 7 ]. Again looking at retired hockey players, in this paper the group used the Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition, the Impact of Event Scale-Revised and the Short Form Health Survey to measure the quality of life of players who had retired due to concussion.…”