scholarly journals Concussion Incidence and Recovery Among Youth Athletes With ADHD Taking Stimulant-Based Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 232596712110325
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ali ◽  
Nickolas Dreher ◽  
Theodore Hannah ◽  
Adam Li ◽  
Nek Asghar ◽  
...  

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may affect concussion risk and recovery in youth athletes. Purpose: To evaluate the association between incidence of concussion and postinjury recovery of symptoms and neurocognitive dysfunction among youth athletes with ADHD and differential stimulant use. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: From 2009 to 2019, the authors administered the Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) to youth athletes at the beginning of each season. Throughout the season, athletes with concussions were examined and readministered the ImPACT both postinjury and again 7 days after the postinjury administration. These athletes (N = 7453) were divided into those with ADHD on stimulant-based therapy (ADHD+meds; n = 167), those with ADHD not on stimulant-based therapy (ADHD-only; n = 354), and those with no ADHD (non-ADHD; n = 6932). Recovery of neurocognitive dysfunction at postinjury and follow-up was calculated using the ImPACT symptom score, verbal memory, visual memory, visual motor skills, and reaction time (calculated as standardized deviations from baseline). Univariate results were confirmed with multivariate analysis. Results: The ADHD+meds cohort had a lower incidence of concussion (37.3 concussions per 100 patient-years) compared with the ADHD-only group (57.0 concussions per 100 patient-years) (odds ratio [OR], 0.51 [95% CI, 0.37-0.71]; P < .0001) and non-ADHD group (52.8 concussions per 100 patient-years) (OR, 0.50 [95% CI, 0.37-0.67]; P < .0001). At postinjury, ImPACT scores were elevated from baseline to a similar extent in the ADHD+meds cohort compared with the other 2 groups. By follow-up, however, deviations from baseline were lower among the ADHD+meds group compared with the non-ADHD group in verbal memory (OR, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.28-0.76]; P = .002), visual memory (OR, 0.27 [95% CI, 0.10-0.66]; P = .005), and visual motor skills (OR, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.33-0.99]; P = .048). The deviation at follow-up was also lower among the ADHD+meds group compared with the ADHD-only group in visual memory (OR, 0.56 [95% CI, 0.33-0.96]; P = .04) and visual motor skills (OR, 0.42 [95% CI, 0.22-0.81]; P = .01). Conclusion: Stimulant use among youth athletes with ADHD was independently associated with reduced incidence for concussion and lower deviation from baseline in verbal memory, visual memory, and visual motor skills at 7 days postconcussion, suggesting lower neurocognitive impairment at follow-up in this group versus their peers.

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (6) ◽  
pp. 990-990
Author(s):  
A DaCosta ◽  
A Crane ◽  
M Fasciana ◽  
A LoGalbo

Abstract Objective Previous research indicates that athletes experiencing concussions demonstrate acute balance deficits (Guskiewicz, 2011). Although it is hypothesized that balance performance is related to neurocognitive function in athletes experiencing a concussion (Guskiewicz, Ross, & Marshall, 2001; Broglio, Sosnoff, Ferrara, 2009), limited research exists regarding the clinical utility of baseline measures. Method 68 collegiate athletes (ages 18-23; M = 19.62, SD = 1.44) were evaluated using the Balance error scoring system (BESS) and ImPACT at baseline and post-concussion. Multiple linear regressions were used to determine how BESS performance change across evaluations predicted post-concussion neurocognitive dysfunction compared to post-concussion performance alone. Results BESS performance changes from baseline to post-concussion significantly predicted post-concussion Verbal Memory (R² = .06, p = .05), Visual Memory (R² = .135, p = .002), Visual-Motor Speed (R² = .146, p = .001), Reaction Time (R² = .156, p = .001), and Total Symptom Scores (R² = .112, p = .005); while post-concussion BESS scores predicted Visual Memory (R² = .138, p = .002), Visual-Motor Speed (R² = .137, p = .002), and Reaction Time (R² = .145, p = .001). Therefore, assessing change in BESS performance is a more comprehensive predictor of neurocognitive dysfunction than solely post-concussion BESS performance. Conclusions Changes in BESS performance from baseline to post-concussion was found to be a more comprehensive predictor of neurocognitive dysfunction than post-concussion BESS scores alone. Therefore, our results support the clinical utility of evaluating balance at pre-participation to better understand neurocognitive risk factors.


2019 ◽  
Vol 50 (1) ◽  
pp. 128-140 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diana Zoccola ◽  
Ann B Shuttleworth-Edwards ◽  
Sarah E Radloff

The objective of this study was to investigate players of club level Rugby Union (hereafter rugby) over one rugby season, for signs of residual cognitive dysfunction due to repeated concussive events incurred during long-term participation in the sport. Adult male players of club level rugby, without a diagnosis of a concussion during the season ( n = 20), were compared with non-contact club level sports participants ( n = 22) of equivalent sex, age, education, and estimated IQ at pre-, mid-, and post-season intervals. Measures included the ImPACT Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites, and the Purdue Pegboard test. Statistical group comparisons revealed consistently poorer performance for rugby players compared with controls for ImPACT Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time composites at all test intervals, and for the Purdue Pegboard tasks at the first two test intervals. Repeat measures comparisons across the three test intervals demonstrated differential learning patterns between groups on ImPACT Visual Memory, ImPACT Reaction Time, and Purdue Both tasks, suggestive of cognitive vulnerability in the rugby group. Overall, the results reveal deleterious cognitive performance in adult club level rugby players relative to equivalent non-contact sports controls. The finding serves to endorse indications from other studies that demonstrate persistent brain injury effects in association with long-term participation in a contact sport. Recommendations for further research and management of concussion in rugby players are discussed.


2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (5) ◽  
pp. 624-624
Author(s):  
S O'Connor ◽  
T Dean ◽  
P Schatz

Abstract Objective To explore change across repeated baseline assessments using raw scores and percentile scores, for athletes sustaining and not sustaining a concussion between baselines. Method Athletes (12–23 years) completed two valid, baseline neurocognitive test sessions using ImPACT. Participants were divided into independent groups based on having sustained a concussion between annual baselines (CONCUSSION; N = 269) or no concussion (NO CONCUSSION; N = 270) between baselines. Raw change scores were calculated between the first and follow-up baseline for both groups by subtracting the first baseline score from the updated baseline score on the four ImPACT composite scores. Age- and gender-based percentile scores were then applied for all participants, and percentile change scores were calculated in the same manner. Raw change scores and percentile change scores between groups were compared using 4 ANOVAs with a Bonferroni-corrected p-value of (p &lt; .0125). Results Using raw scores ANOVAs revealed that athletes in the CONCUSSION group showed significantly greater improvement on follow-up testing than athletes in the NO CONCUSSION group on Verbal Memory (p &lt; .001) and Visual Motor Speed (p = .001), but not on Visual Memory (p = .41) and Reaction Time (p = .04). Using percentile ranks, ANOVAs revealed significantly greater improvement in CONCUSSION group on Verbal Memory (p &lt; .001), but not on Visual Memory (p = .34), Visual Motor Speed (p = .03), or Reaction Time (p = .014). Conclusions Athletes sustaining a concussion between annual baseline assessments show increases on Verbal Memory and Visual Motor Speed follow-up testing when using raw composite scores, but only on Verbal Memory when using age- and gender-based percentile ranks.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0018
Author(s):  
Aaron J. Zynda ◽  
Mathew A. Stokes ◽  
Jane S. Chung ◽  
C. Munro Cullum ◽  
Shane M. Miller

Background: There is limited evidence examining the impact of learning disorders on testing and screening scores used in evaluation following concussion in adolescents. Purpose: To examine differences in clinical measures between adolescents with a history of dyslexia or ADD/ADHD and those without a history of learning disorder (LD) following concussion. Methods: Data were collected from participants enrolled in the North Texas Concussion Network Prospective Registry (ConTex). Participants ages 10-18 who had been diagnosed with a concussion sustained within 30 days of enrollment were included. Participants were separated into three groups based on self-reported prior diagnosis: dyslexia, ADD/ADHD, and no history of LD. Clinical measures from initial presentation were examined, including ImPACT®, King-Devick (KD), SCAT-5 symptom log, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-8), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) scale. Independent t-test analysis was performed to compare scores between groups. Results: A total of 993 participants were included; 68 with dyslexia, 141 with ADD/ADHD, and 784 with no history of LD. There was no difference in age, sex, time since injury, or history of concussion between the dyslexia group and no LD group. In the ADD/ADHD group, there were significantly more male participants (64.5% and 50.3% respectively, p=0.002). Participants with a history of dyslexia had a significant increase in KD time (63.7 sec vs 56.5 sec, p=0.019). Additionally, ImPACT® testing showed a decrease in visual motor speed (28.87 vs 32.99, p= 0.010). Total symptom score was higher in this group as well (36.22 vs 28.27, p=0.013). In those with a history of ADD/ADHD, multiple domains were found to be significantly different on ImPACT® testing including visual motor speed (30.05), reaction time (0.75), and cognitive efficiency (0.23) when compared to those with no LD (32.99, 0.71, and 0.27 respectively, p=0.004, 0.047, 0.027). KD time was also significantly higher in this group (62.1 sec vs 56.5 sec, p=0.008), as was the total symptom score (32.99 vs 28.27, p=0.043). PHQ-8 and GAD-7 were both significantly higher in the group with ADD/ADHD (5.79 and 5.06 respectively, p=0.001) than those with no LD (4.32 and 3.56, p=0.001). Conclusion: Differences were seen in participants with a history of dyslexia and ADD/ADHD on clinical concussion measures, including ImPACT® and KD testing, SCAT-5 symptom log, and screenings for depression and anxiety. A better understanding of the unique profiles seen in these patients will aid providers in their evaluation and assist as they counsel families regarding their child’s injury.


2017 ◽  
Vol 48 (11) ◽  
pp. 1803-1813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lars de Vroege ◽  
Anique Timmermans ◽  
Willem J. Kop ◽  
Christina M. van der Feltz-Cornelis

BackgroundThe prevalence and severity of neurocognitive dysfunctioning of patients with somatic symptom and related disorders (SSRD) is unknown. Furthermore, the influence of comorbid depression and anxiety has not been evaluated. This study examines neurocognitive dysfunctioning of patients with SSRD and explores if comorbid depression and anxiety is associated with specific neurocognitive dysfunctioning.MethodsCross-sectional study with consecutive patients suffering from SSRD visiting an outpatient specialty mental health care Centre of Excellence for SSRD. Extensive neuropsychological assessment and assessment of depression and anxiety symptom levels using the Patient-Health-Questionnaire-9 and General Anxiety Disorder questionnaire-7 were performed at intake. Multivariate analysis was performed.ResultsThe study sample consisted of 201 SSRD patients, with a mean age of 43 years (Standard deviation = 13) years; 37.8% were male. Neurocognitive dysfunction in the domains information processing speed, sustained and divided attention, working memory, verbal and visual memory were reported, compared with normative data. Comorbid depression and anxiety occurred frequently within the sample (75.1% and 65.7%, respectively). Neurocognitive dysfunctioning was worse in patients suffering from comorbid depression [multivariateF(7,161) = 2.839,p= 0.008] but not in patients with comorbid anxiety.ConclusionsPoor neurocognitive performance of patients with SSRD is common and worsens in case of comorbid depression. This may explain treatment dropout of patients with SSRD from neurocognitive behavioral therapy. Research on novel interventions is needed targeting neurocognitive functioning of patients with SSRD, particularly those with comorbid depression.


2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 758-758 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Schatz ◽  
K Bogar ◽  
R J Elbin

Abstract Purpose The "replication crisis" in psychology and across the broader field of social sciences raises criticism due to a lack of data to show that esoteric research findings can be replicated. The present study replicated and validated the two-factor “memory” and “speed” structure of ImPACT (Schatz & Maerlender, 2013). Methods High school aged athletes (N=18,918, Mean age=15.4, SD=1.2) who completed pre-season baseline ImPACT testing were randomly assigned to one of 5 independent samples of approximately 3,780 athletes. Exploratory factor analyses (FA) for a two-factor solution were conducted with ImPACT composite scores within each of the five groups. Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) scores were included, with the expectation they would load on a third, unique factor. Results All five samples met assumptions for FA (KMO Measure of Sampling Adequacy above .600), and all five analyses yielded the same “memory” and “speed” two-factor structure. Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time loaded on the first "Speed" factor and Verbal and Visual Memory loaded on a second "Memory" factor. The PCSS scores loaded on a third, unique “symptom” factor. Conclusion Replication of the two-factor structure for ImPACT in a five large high school sample further validates the model. Given that both visual and verbal memory involve encoding of information presented visually, use of a “memory” factor may improve interpretation of ImPACT scores. Similarly, similarities between constructs measuring speed of responding (Reaction Time) and speed of processing (Visual Motor Processing Speed) may be best explained using a “speed” factor.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967120S0019
Author(s):  
Sara Stremlau ◽  
Richard Cameron Allred ◽  
Richard Gerkin ◽  
Steven Erickson ◽  
Jamie Pardini

Background: Both sleep disturbance and mood changes are common symptoms post-concussion (Sell & Rubeor, 2017). Studies have found these symptoms are correlated with poorer performance on neurocognitive testing (Kontos et al., 2012 and Kostyun et al., 2015). In addition, Brown et al., (2015) showed that females report more symptoms at both baseline and post-concussion compared to males on the Post-Concussion Scale and the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 2. Hypothesis/Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate how a patient’s sex, as well as self-reported acute mood and sleep symptoms are related to neurocognitive performance in individuals with concussion. Methods: Data were acquired through IRB-approved retrospective chart review. Composite scores from the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) computerized evaluation and self-reported symptom scores on the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale were gathered for 1619 adolescents age 12-18 (49.3% female) who presented to a large metropolitan outpatient clinic for treatment of concussion. Results: Females endorsed higher overall symptoms (x=19.52, SD 19.37, median 13.0 for females; x=12.88, SD 15.89, median 7.0 for males; Mann-Whitney U Test p<0.001). This same pattern emerged for the mood and sleep symptom clusters (female mood mean=2.92, SD 4.51; male mood mean=1.64, SD 3.34; female sleep mean=1.59, SD 2.0; male sleep mean=1.11, SD 1.84; both Independent Samples Mann-Whitney U Tests ps<0.001). There were significant but modest negative correlations between mood symptoms and performance on verbal memory (r=-0.174), visual memory (r=-0.213), and visual motor speed (r=-0.146) composites (all ps<0.01). There was positive correlation between reaction time composite and mood symptoms (r=0.191). There were significant but modest negative correlations between sleep symptoms and performance on verbal memory (r=-0.171), visual memory (r=-0.184), and visual motor speed (r=-0.161) composites (all ps<0.01). There was a positive correlation between reaction time composite and sleep symptoms (r=0.196, p<0.01). Conclusion: Consistent with prior research, adolescent females reported more symptoms post-concussion, including total symptom score, mood symptoms, and sleep symptoms. Adolescents presenting with more mood and sleep symptoms demonstrated poorer performance on neurocognitive testing. However, given the modest nature of the correlation, a significant amount of variation in test performance is not explained by symptom report. Results from this study underscore the importance of a multidimensional concussion assessment that includes both symptom report and cognitive testing when working with pediatric athletes. This study also reinforces the importance of understanding potential effects of sleep, mood, and sex on concussion.


2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 2319-2324 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.J. Elbin ◽  
Philip Schatz ◽  
Tracey Covassin

Background: The ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) neurocognitive testing battery is a popular assessment tool used for concussion management. The stability of the baseline neurocognitive assessment is important for accurate comparisons between postconcussion and baseline neurocognitive performance. Psychometric properties of the recently released online version of ImPACT have yet to be established; therefore, research evaluating the reliability of this measure is warranted. Purpose: The authors investigated the 1-year test-retest reliability of the ImPACT online version in a sample of high school athletes. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4 Methods: A total of 369 varsity high school athletes completed 2 mandatory preseason baseline cognitive assessments approximately 1 year apart as required by their respective athletics program. No diagnosed concussion occurred between assessments. Results: Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for ImPACT online indicated that motor processing speed (.85) was the most stable composite score, followed by reaction time (.76), visual memory (.70), and verbal memory (.62). Unbiased estimates of reliability were consistent with ICCs: motor processing speed (.85), reaction time (.76), visual memory (.71), and verbal memory (.62). Conclusion: The online ImPACT baseline is a stable measure of neurocognitive performance across a 1-year time period for high school athletes. These reliability data for online ImPACT are higher than the 2-year ICCs previously reported from the desktop version. Clinical Relevance: It is recommended that the ImPACT baseline assessment (both desktop and online) continue to be updated every 2 years. The online version of ImPACT appears to be a stable measure of neurocognitive performance over a 1-year period, and systematic evaluation of its stability over a 2-year period is warranted.


2007 ◽  
Vol 22 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Noëlle Levaux ◽  
Stéphane Potvin ◽  
Amir Ali Sepehry ◽  
Juliette Sablier ◽  
Adrianna Mendrek ◽  
...  

AbstractObjectiveOver the last decade, the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB), which comprises visuo-spatial tasks, has been utilized in cognitive studies of schizophrenia. A clear approach concerning the usage of CANTAB for the appraisal of neurocognitive dysfunction in schizophrenia is currently lacking.MethodIn this paper, we have first reviewed the overall applications of CANTAB and then evaluated methodological strengths and weaknesses of CANTAB as a neurocognitive battery for schizophrenia. We carried out a systematic search and assessment of studies where CANTAB was utilized to measure cognitive function in schizophrenia. We have also attempted to quantify the available data and perform a meta-analysis, but this approach turned out to be still premature.ResultsCANTAB has enabled researchers to highlight significant deficits affecting broad cognitive domains in schizophrenia, such as working memory, decision-making, attention, executive functions and visual memory. So far, the most consistent deficit observed with CANTAB testing has been attentional set-shifting, suggestive of fronto-striatal dysfunctions. In addition, preliminary evidence points towards the potential use of CANTAB to identify cognitive predictors of psychosocial functioning, to describe the relationships between symptoms and cognition, and to measure the impact of pharmacological agents on cognitive functioning.ConclusionCANTAB has been used successfully to highlight the range of visuo-spatial cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, producing similar results to those obtained with some traditional neuropsychological tests. Further studies validating the use of CANTAB following the standard set by Measurement And Treatment Research to Improve Cognition in Schizophrenia (MATRICS) are warranted.


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