Neurocognitive performance and mental health of retired female football players compared to non-contact sport athletes

BackgroundAdverse long-term effects of playing football due to repetitive head impact exposure on neurocognition and mental health are controversial. To date, no studies have evaluated such effects in women.AimsTo (1) compare neurocognitive performance, cognitive symptoms and mental health in retired elite female football players (FB) with retired elite female non-contact sport athletes (CON), and to (2) assess whether findings are related to history of concussion and/or heading exposure in FB.MethodsNeurocognitive performance, mental health and cognitive symptoms were assessed using computerised tests (CNS-vital signs), paper pen tests (Category fluency, Trail-Making Test, Digit Span, Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test), questionnaires (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, SF-36v2 Health Survey) and a symptom checklist. Heading exposure and concussion history were self-reported in an online survey and in a clinical interview, respectively. Linear regression was used to analyse the effect of football, concussion and heading exposure on outcomes adjusted for confounders.ResultsFB (n=66) performed similar to CON (n=45) on neurocognitive tests, except for significantly lower scores on verbal memory (mean difference (MD)=−7.038, 95% CI −12.98 to –0.08, p=0.038) and verbal fluency tests (MD=−7.534, 95% CI –13.75 to –0.46, p=0.016). Among FB weaker verbal fluency performance was significantly associated with ≥2 concussions (MD=−10.36, 95% CI –18.48 to –2.83, p=0.017), and weaker verbal memory performance with frequent heading (MD=−9.166, 95% CI –17.59 to –0.123, p=0.041). The depression score differed significantly between study populations, and was significantly associated with frequent heading but not with history of concussion in FB.ConclusionFurther studies should investigate the clinical relevance of our findings and whether the observed associations point to a causal link between repetitive head impacts and verbal memory/fluency or mental health.

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Late contributions of repetitive head impacts and TBI to depression symptoms and cognition

Neurology ◽

10.1212/wnl.0000000000010040 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 95 (7) ◽

pp. e793-e804 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Michael L. Alosco ◽

Yorghos Tripodis ◽

Zachary H. Baucom ◽

Jesse Mez ◽

Thor D. Stein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Geriatric Depression Scale ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Later Life ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Neurocognitive Performance ◽

Contact Sport ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Head Impacts ◽

Repetitive Head Impacts ◽

History Of

ObjectiveTo test the hypothesis that repetitive head impacts (RHIs), like those from contact sport play and traumatic brain injury (TBI) have long-term neuropsychiatric and cognitive consequences, we compared middle-age and older adult participants who reported a history of RHI and/or TBI with those without this history on measures of depression and cognition.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 13,323 individuals (mean age, 61.95; 72.5% female) from the Brain Health Registry who completed online assessments, including the Ohio State University TBI Identification Method, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), and the CogState Brief Battery and Lumos Labs NeuroCognitive Performance Tests. Inverse propensity-weighted linear regressions accounting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, and education tested the effects of RHI and TBI compared to a non-RHI/TBI group.ResultsA total of 725 participants reported RHI exposure (mostly contact sport play and abuse) and 7,277 reported TBI (n = 2,604 with loss of consciousness [LOC]). RHI (β, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.36–2.12), TBI without LOC (β, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.31–0.54), and TBI with LOC (β, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.59–0.91) corresponded to higher GDS-15 scores. While TBI with LOC had the most neuropsychological associations, TBI without LOC had a negative effect on CogState Identification (β, 0.004; 95% CI, 0.001–0.01) and CogState One Back Test (β, 0.004; 95% CI, 0.0002–0.01). RHI predicted worse CogState One Back Test scores (β, 0.02; 95% CI, −0.01 to 0.05). There were RHI × TBI interaction effects on several neuropsychological subtests, and participants who had a history of both RHI and TBI with LOC had the greatest depression symptoms and worse cognition.ConclusionsRHI and TBI independently contributed to worse mid- to later-life neuropsychiatric and cognitive functioning.

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A-250 Evidence for Language and Memory Improvements Following Right Anterior Temporal Lobectomy in a Patient with Mixed Language Dominance

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acaa068.250 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (6) ◽

pp. 1045-1045

Author(s):

Leonard S ◽

Olsen E ◽

Bradbury K

Keyword(s):

Verbal Memory ◽

Verbal Fluency ◽

Verbal Learning ◽

Temporal Lobectomy ◽

Neuropsychological Evaluation ◽

Language Abilities ◽

Anterior Temporal Lobectomy ◽

Language Dominance ◽

Mixed Language ◽

History Of

Abstract Objective Anterior temporal lobectomy (ATL) surgery for epilepsy is commonly associated with post-surgical impairments in memory and language abilities, specifically episodic memory and confrontational naming. Less is known regarding outcomes of patients with atypical language dominance. Method Casey is a 19 year-old, ambidextrous, male with a history of remote symptomatic medically intractable focal epilepsy secondary to right inferior temporal encephalomalacia. Casey underwent right anterior temporal lobectomy and resection of mesial structures including part of the hippocampus. Results Casey’s pre-surgical neuropsychological evaluation revealed overall intellectual functioning in the average range with relative strengths in perceptual reasoning skills and weaknesses in attention, executive control, confrontational naming, and verbal fluency. Casey’s pre-surgical cognitive profile and functional MRI were suggestive of bilateral language organization. At post-surgical evaluation, Casey demonstrated strong overall cognitive abilities, basic reading, visual–spatial skills, and visual memory, as well as notable improvements in his processing speed and visual-motor integration. He demonstrated significant improvement in verbal working memory, verbal fluency, and contextual verbal memory. Casey continued to show significant weaknesses in word finding, phonetic verbal fluency, and rote verbal learning and memory, and milder weaknesses in aspects of executive functioning. Casey continued to demonstrate mood difficulties. Conclusions The current case provides evidence of continued mild deficits in traditional dominant hemisphere skills including rote verbal memory and focal language abilities, in a patient with a history of mixed language dominance, following right hemisphere ATL surgery. This case further highlights the importance of pre-surgical neuropsychological evaluation and fMRI in patients undergoing right ATL surgery.

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Do Maternal Stress and Depressive Symptoms in Perinatal Period Predict the Lactation Mastitis Occurrence? A Retrospective Longitudinal Study in Greek Women

Diagnostics ◽

10.3390/diagnostics11091524 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 1524

Author(s):

Maria Dagla ◽

Calliope Dagla ◽

Irina Mrvoljak-Theodoropoulou ◽

Dimitra Sotiropoulou ◽

Aikaterini-Taxiarchoula Kavakou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Longitudinal Study ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Binary Logistic Regression ◽

Perinatal Period ◽

Poor Mental Health ◽

Emotional Factors ◽

History Of ◽

Anxiety Screening ◽

D 12

Background: The aim of this study is to investigate whether symptoms of anxiety and depression disorders in women during the perinatal period predict the occurrence of lactation mastitis. Methods: This is a retrospective longitudinal study of 622 Greek women who were monitored from pregnancy until the first year postpartum (during the period January 2015–May 2018). The Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Perinatal Anxiety Screening Scale (PASS) were administered at four time points: (a) 24th–28th gestation week, (b) 34th–38th gestation week, (c) 6 weeks postpartum, and (d) 12 months postpartum. Multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were performed. Results: Results showed that (a) increased EPDS (p < 0.02) and PASS (p < 0.05) scores during the last period before birth, (b) increased EPDS score at 6 weeks postpartum (p < 0.02), (c) PMS symptoms (p < 0.03), (d) traumatic life events during the last year (p < 0.03), and (e) the existence of a history of psychotherapy (before pregnancy) (p = 0.050) appear to be the psycho-emotional factors that can predict the possible occurrence of lactation mastitis in a breastfeeding mother. Conclusions: The association between women’s poor mental health and the occurrence of a physical health problem, such as lactation mastitis, is recognized. This study highlights the important role of early and timely detection of perinatal mental health disorders.

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Can the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale be used to screen for anxiety in the perinatal period? A factor analysis of high-risk and community samples

10.31234/osf.io/dyvej ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alexandra Lautarescu ◽

Suresh Victor ◽

Alex Lau-Zhu ◽

Serena J. Counsell ◽

Anthony David Edwards ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

Postnatal Depression ◽

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Community Sample ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Maternal History ◽

History Of ◽

The Relationship

Background: Timely and accurate detection of perinatal mental health problems is essential for the wellbeing of both mother and child. Growing evidence has suggested that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is not a unidimensional measure of perinatal depression, but can be used to screen for anxiety disorders.Methods: We aimed to assess the factor structure of the EPDS in 3 different groups of women: n=266 pregnant women at high-risk of depression (“Perinatal Stress Study”), n=471 pregnant women from a community sample, and n=637 early postnatal women from a community sample (“developing Human Connectome Project”). Exploratory factor analysis (40% of each sample) and confirmatory factor analysis (60% of each sample) were performed. The relationship between EPDS scores and history of mental health was investigated. Results: Results suggested that a 3-factor model (depression, anxiety, and anhedonia) is the most appropriate across groups. The anxiety subscale (EPDS 3A) emerged consistently and was related to maternal history of anxiety disorders. Total EPDS score was related to history of mental health problems. Limitations: Although data were collected on maternal history of mental health, there was no standardized diagnostic interview administered to assess the relationship between EPDS 3A and a current diagnosis of anxiety disorder. Conclusions: A better understanding of the multi-factorial structure of the EPDS can inform diagnosis and management of women in the prenatal and postnatal period. The EPDS 3A could be used to provide initial screening information for anxiety in situations where a validated anxiety questionnaire is not administered.

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The factor structure of the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale among perinatal high-risk and community samples in London

Archives of Women s Mental Health ◽

10.1007/s00737-021-01153-0 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Alexandra Lautarescu ◽

Suresh Victor ◽

Alex Lau-Zhu ◽

Serena J. Counsell ◽

A. David Edwards ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Factor Analysis ◽

High Risk ◽

Factor Structure ◽

Postnatal Depression ◽

Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale ◽

Mental Health Problems ◽

Community Sample ◽

Depression Scale ◽

History Of

AbstractTimely and accurate detection of perinatal mental health problems is essential for the wellbeing of both mother and child. Growing evidence has suggested that the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) is not a unidimensional measure of perinatal depression, but can be used to screen for anxiety disorders. We aimed to assess the factor structure of the EPDS in 3 different groups of women: n = 266 pregnant women at high-risk of depression (“Perinatal Stress Study”), n = 471 pregnant women from a community sample, and n = 637 early postnatal women from a community sample (“developing Human Connectome Project”). Exploratory factor analysis (40% of each sample) and confirmatory factor analysis (60% of each sample) were performed. The relationship between EPDS scores and history of mental health concerns was investigated. Results suggested that a 3-factor model (depression, anxiety, and anhedonia) is the most appropriate across groups. The anxiety subscale (EPDS-3A) emerged consistently and was related to maternal history of anxiety disorders in the prenatal sample (W = 6861, p < 0.001). EPDS total score was related to history of mental health problems in both the prenatal (W = 12,185, p < 0.001) and postnatal samples (W = 30,044, p < 0.001). In both high-risk and community samples in the perinatal period, the EPDS appears to consist of depression, anxiety, and anhedonia subscales. A better understanding of the multifactorial structure of the EPDS can inform diagnosis and management of women in the prenatal and postnatal period. Further research is required to validate the EPDS-3A as a screening tool for anxiety.

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Training of executive functions in healthy elderly: Results of a pilot study

Dementia & Neuropsychologia ◽

10.1590/s1980-57642012dn06010006 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 35-41

Author(s):

Thaís Bento Lima-Silva ◽

Aline Teixeira Fabrício ◽

Laís dos Santos Vinholi e Silva ◽

Glaúcia Martins de Oliveira ◽

Wesley Turci da Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Executive Functions ◽

Verbal Fluency ◽

Digit Span ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Cognitive Intervention ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Healthy Elderly ◽

Post Test ◽

The Impact

ABSTRACT Executive functions (EF) refer to the cognitive skills necessary to formulate a goal, plan, execute plans effectively, and to perform self-monitoring and self-correction. Several aspects of EF change during the normal aging process. Objectives: To train skills associated with executive functions in the elderly and to detect possible impact on objective EF tests and self-reports of functional status. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving an intervention and pre and post testing was carried out. Study participants included 26 seniors assigned to an experimental group (EG) and given six sessions of cognitive intervention, and 17 seniors assigned to a control group (CG) who completed pre and post testing only. All participants were enrolled in an Open University for the Third Age. The following tests were used to measure outcome: the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the Story subtest of the Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test (RBMT) (versions A and B), semantic verbal fluency fruit category, and verbal fluency with phonological constraints (FAS), WAIS-III Digit Span, Clock Drawing Test (CDT), Trail Making Part A and the Pfeffer Functional Assessment Questionnaire (PFAQ). Delta scores were calculated (post-test score minus pretest score) to assess the impact of the intervention. Results: In the post test, the CG showed significant improvement on the RBMT Story recall and Digit Span but a decline in verbal fluency. The EG remained stable in terms of pre and post test scores. Conclusions: The intervention did not enhance performance on the EF tests. It is noteworthy that the EG received only a small number of sessions which may not have been sufficient to generate improvement. Alternatively, the lack of group differences observed could be associated to participation in other workshops offered at the university.

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Concussion History and Postconcussion Neurocognitive Performance and Symptoms in Collegiate Athletes

Journal of Athletic Training ◽

10.4085/1062-6050-43.2.119 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 43 (2) ◽

pp. 119-124 ◽

Cited By ~ 78

Author(s):

Tracey Covassin ◽

David Stearne ◽

Robert Elbin

Keyword(s):

Reaction Time ◽

Processing Speed ◽

Verbal Memory ◽

Visual Memory ◽

Collegiate Athletes ◽

Neurocognitive Performance ◽

Significant Group ◽

Repeated Measures Design ◽

History Of ◽

Concussion History

Abstract Context: Athletes are at an inherent risk for sustaining concussions. Research examining the long-term consequences of sport-related concussion has been inconsistent in demonstrating lingering neurocognitive decrements that may be associated with a previous history of concussion. Objective: To determine the relationship between concussion history and postconcussion neurocognitive performance and symptoms in collegiate athletes. Design: Repeated-measures design. Setting: Multi-center analysis of collegiate athletes. Patients or Other Participants: Fifty-seven concussed collegiate athletes (36 without concussion history, 21 with a history of 2 or more concussions). Intervention(s): All subjects were administered an Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) neurocognitive test battery, which measures verbal memory, visual memory, reaction time, and visual processing speed and 22 concussion symptoms. Main Outcome Measure(s): Subjects who sustained a concussion were administered 2 follow-up tests at days 1 and 5 postinjury. Independent variables were history of concussion (no history of concussion, 2 or more concussions) and time (baseline, day 1 postconcussion, or day 5 postconcussion). Results: A within-subjects effect (time) on ImPACT performance (P < .001), a between-subjects multivariate effect of group (P < .001), and a group-by-time interaction (P = .034) were noted. Athletes with a concussion history performed significantly worse on verbal memory (P = .01) and reaction time (P = .023) at day 5 postconcussion compared with athletes who did not report a previous concussion. No significant group differences were seen at day 5 postinjury on visual memory (P = .167), processing speed (P = .179), or total concussion symptoms (P = .87). Conclusions: Concussed collegiate athletes with a history of 2 or more concussions took longer to recover verbal memory and reaction time than athletes without a history of concussion.

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I think, therefore I forget – using experimental simulation of dementia to understand functional cognitive disorders

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852919001329 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (4) ◽

pp. 511-518 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Laura McWhirter ◽

Brendan Sargent ◽

Craig Ritchie ◽

Jon Stone ◽

Alan Carson

Keyword(s):

Family History ◽

Digit Span ◽

Cognitive Disorders ◽

Step Test ◽

Experimental Simulation ◽

Cognitive Symptoms ◽

Response Patterns ◽

Mild Dementia ◽

Bedside Test ◽

History Of

AbstractBackground.Symptoms of functional neurological disorder have traditionally been thought to depend, in part, on patients’ ideas about symptoms rather than on the rules of pathophysiology. The possibility that functional cognitive symptoms might similarly reflect ideas of dementia has not been explored. We aimed to assess beliefs, through performance, about symptoms of dementia in healthy non-medical adults with the intention of identifying potential markers of functional cognitive disorders.Methods. Healthy volunteers were asked to simulate symptoms of mild dementia during testing with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), coin-in-hand forced-choice test, short digit span trials, Luria 3-step test and interlocking finger test. Family history of dementia was recorded.Results.In 50 participants aged 18–27, simulating dementia, mean MoCA score was 16 (SD 5.5, range 5–26). Delayed recall was the most frequently failed item (100%) and cube drawing least frequently failed (42%). Twenty-six percent failed forward three-digit span and 36% failed reverse two-digit span. On the coin-in-hand test, 32% scored at or below chance level. Inconsistent response patterns were common.Conclusions.Cognitively healthy young adults simulating mild dementia perform similarly to older adults with mild dementia, demonstrating beliefs that dementia is associated with significant global impairment, including attention, motor function, and letter vigilance, but preservation of cube drawing. Inconsistent response patterns were common. Contrary to expectation, family history of dementia did not influence performance. Two and three digit span showed particular promise as a bedside test for simulation. Further investigation will establish whether similar patterns of results are produced in individuals with functional cognitive symptoms.

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INVESTIGATION OF MENTAL HEALTH OF AMATEUR AND PROFESSIONAL FOOTBALL PLAYERS IN THE COVID–19 PANDEMIC PERIOD

European Journal of Physical Education and Sport Science ◽

10.46827/ejpe.v7i2.3805 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 7 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Hasan Akgün ◽

Mürsel Biçer ◽

Mehmet Vural

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Sleep Quality ◽

Depression Scale ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Football Players ◽

Professional Football ◽

Subjective Sleep Quality ◽

Subjective Sleep ◽

Significant Difference

The aim of this study is to investigate the mental health of amateur and professional football players during the Covid-19 pandemic period. For this purpose, 49 amateur female, 68 amateur male and 34 professional male football players participated in the study. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index consisting of 24 questions and the Beck Depression Scale consisting of 21 questions were applied to measure the sleep quality and depression symptoms of the participants. The obtained data were analyzed with the SPSS 22.0 program. Values were presented as minimum, maximum, mean, standard deviation, and standard error. Significance level was accepted as p<0.05. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was used to test for normality. One Way Anova and LSD tests were performed to analyze the differences between groups. There were significant differences in BDI total score, subjective sleep quality and sleep disorder parameters when grouped by age. (p<0.05) Significant differences were found in BDI total score, subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep disturbance, and total PUKI score parameters when grouped by sport categories. (p<0.05) No significant difference was found in any parameter in grouping the participants according to sports age. (p>0.05) As a result, it can be said that the sleep quality of amateur women and amateur men is bad, and the sleep quality of professional men is good during the Covid-19 pandemic period. It can be said that the depression symptoms of amateur women are bad, the amateur men's group is moderate, and the depression symptoms of professional men are good. Article visualizations:<img src="/-counters-/edu_01/0785/a.php" alt="Hit counter" />

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A-23 Mental Health Outcomes of Elite Athletes Following Sport Related Concussion

Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology ◽

10.1093/arclin/acaa036.23 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 35 (5) ◽

pp. 619-619

Author(s):

C Hoyle ◽

M Mrazik ◽

D Naidu

Keyword(s):

Mental Health ◽

Return To Play ◽

Anxiety And Depression ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Football Players ◽

Short Term ◽

Post Injury ◽

Time Points ◽

Healthy Control ◽

History Of

Abstract Objective Investigation of anxiety and depression symptoms at baseline and following sport related concussion in a population of professional and collegiate football players. Method A quasi-experimental prospective longitudinal design was implemented. Participants included 198 Canadian Football League and University of Alberta varsity football players at baseline. Additionally, this study tracked 13 concussed athletes, 12 orthopaedic control athletes, and 15 healthy control athletes over approximately a 2 month period. Statistical analysis included an ANOVA and repeated measures ANOVA to identify differences in mental health at baseline as well as after injury at 3 time points (24-48 hours post injury, asymptomatic, and 1 month post return to play). Results At baseline, players who had a history of 1 or more concussions reported a greater number of anxiety and depression symptoms in comparison to players who did not have a history of concussion (F(2, 197) = 66.75, (p =.000)). At the group level, there were no differences in anxiety and depression symptoms between players who sustained a concussion, orthoepic injury, or no injury across the four time points measured (depression (F(3, 58) = 1.05, (p =.404); anxiety (F(3, 58) = 1.65, (p =.151)). However, individuals who sustained a concussion displayed significant changes in symptoms of anxiety (F(3, 12) = 9.004, (p =.000)) and depression (F(3, 12) = 11.396, (p =.000)) over time. Specifically, concussed players reported an increase in anxiety related symptoms between baseline report and 24-48 hours post injury (p = .042), a decrease between 24-48 hours and 1 month post return to play (p = .002) and a decrease between asymptomatic and 1 month post return to play (p = .036) time points. Additionally, players who sustained a concussion reported a significant increase in depressive symptoms between 24-48 hours post injury and 1 month post return to play (p = .029) and a decrease between asymptomatic and 1 month post return to play (p = .014) time points. This change over time was not found in the orthopaedic injury (depression (F(3, 11) = 2.467, (p =.14); anxiety (F(3, 11) = 2.242, (p =.15)) or healthy control groups (depression; (F(3, 14) = 2.177, (p =.17); anxiety; F(3, 14) = 1.435, (p =.30)). Conclusions Results from this study suggest that a history of concussion impacts baseline self-report of anxiety and depression symptoms. Furthermore, players who sustained a concussion experienced subtle increases in anxiety and depressive symptoms in the short term and not in the long term. Players with who sustained an orthopaedic injury and healthy players did not show these changes in anxiety and depression symptom report. It appears that in this small sample concussion produced unique outcomes related to mental health functioning in the short term.

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