Research Letter: Concussion Knowledge Is Difficult to Predict From Self-Reported Exposure, Sports Participation, and Education

Abstract

Objectives: Increasing concussion knowledge could contribute to improving injury outcomes. Understanding the predictors of concussion knowledge could determine the areas of educational need. This study examined whether individual factors, prior brain injury, prior concussion education, and contact-sports participation predicted concussion knowledge. Design and Setting: Cross-sectional study with recruitment of community volunteers. Participants: An online survey was completed by 525 adults, 443 of whom provided useable responses. Main Measures: The respondents provided background information and completed the Concussion Knowledge Index from the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (RoCKAS). Results: On average, the participants answered 19.8 out of 25 items correctly. A multiple regression model with demographic, injury, and sport-related variables did not significantly predict concussion knowledge. Conclusion: This community sample had higher than expected concussion knowledge (restricted range), but some important misconceptions were still present. The model reflecting a combination of self-reported factors did not predict concussion knowledge. The implications for concussion education are discussed, including the need for targeted education to address specific misconceptions.

Sports fans, wagering, and concussion knowledge: implications for injury nondisclosure

“…This study did not find sports fans to be less knowledgeable about concussion than nonsports fans. Indeed, both groups were relatively well-informed about concussion, as compared to prior reports (Kinmond et al, 2021); but misconceptions were still identified in the overall sample. This suggests that sports fans do not need a specific concussion education programme, but there is scope to address some of these misconceptions.…”

“…For this study, only the CKI and the VS were used. The RoCKAS was administered with minor changes to the item wording (see Kinmond et al, 2021). These changes followed advice for adaptations of the measure (i.e., retaining the original wording and adding the local term as a qualifier; Sullivan 2021).…”