Barriers and facilitators to the management of mental health complications after mild traumatic brain injury

Background: Clinical practice guidelines for mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) management call on family physicians to proactively screen and initiate treatment for mental health complications, but evidence suggests that this does not happen consistently. The authors aimed to identify physician-perceived barriers and facilitators to early management of mental health complications following mTBI. Methods & results: Semi-structured interviews based on the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) were conducted with 11 family physicians. Interview transcripts were analyzed using directed content analysis. Factors influencing management of mental health post-mTBI were identified along five TDF domains. Conclusion: Family physicians could benefit from accessible and easily implemented resources to manage post-mTBI mental health conditions, having a better defined role in this process, and formalization of referrals to mental health specialists.

The relation between neck strength and psychological distress: preliminary evidence from collegiate soccer athletes

Aim: To examine whether neck strength and symmetry are associated with psychological function in athletes with exposure to repetitive head impacts. Methods: Collegiate soccer (n = 29) and limited/noncontact (n = 63) athletes without a history of concussion completed the Brief Symptom Inventory 18 and assessments of isometric neck strength. Neck strength symmetry was calculated as the difference in strength between opposing muscle groups. Results: The results demonstrated that lower neck strength was associated with more symptoms of anxiety, whereas asymmetry in neck strength was associated with more symptoms of somatization and depression in soccer athletes only. Conclusion: These preliminary results suggest that greater neck strength/symmetry is related to better psychological function in athletes who have higher exposure to repetitive head impacts.

Selective head–neck cooling after concussion shortens return-to-play in ice hockey players

We aimed to investigate whether selective head–neck cooling could shorten recovery after sports-related concussions (SRCs). In a nonrandomized study of 15 Swedish professional ice hockey teams, 29 concussed players received immediate head and neck cooling for ≥30 min (initiated at 12.3 ± 9.2 min post-SRC by a portable cooling system), and 52 SRC controls received standard management. Players receiving head–neck cooling had shorter time to return-to-play than controls (7 vs 12.5 days, p < 0.0001), and 7% in the intervention group versus 25% in the control group were out of play for ≥3 weeks (p = 0.07). Immediate selective head–neck cooling is a promising option in the acute management of SRC that should be addressed in larger cohorts.

A pilot study on exertional tasks with physiological measures designed for the assessment of military concussion

Background: Guidelines for clinicians treating military concussion recommend exertional testing before return-to-duty, yet there is currently no standardized task or inclusion of an objective physiological measure like heart rate variability (HRV). Methodology & results: We pilot-tested two clinically feasible exertional tasks that include HRV measures and examined reliability of a commercially available heart rate monitor. Testing healthy participants confirmed that the 6-min step test and 2-min pushup test evoked the targeted physiological response, and the Polar H10 was reliable to the gold-standard electrocardiogram. Conclusion: Both tasks are brief assessments that can be implemented into primary care setting including the Polar H10 as an affordable way to access HRV. Additional research utilizing these tasks to evaluate concussion recovery can validate standardized exertional tasks for clinical use.

Helmet use in equestrian athletes: opportunities for intervention

Background: Equestrian athletes (horse riders) are at high risk for head injury, including concussions. Materials & methods: Adults riders were recruited via social media posting to complete a branching survey collecting data on demographics, riding experience, helmet use, injury history and concussion symptom knowledge. Results are reported as frequencies and percentages, with associations tested using chi-square with significance level p < 0.05. Results: Of the 2598 subjects, about 75% reported always wearing a helmet. Of those who did not, the most common reasons were that helmets are unnecessary (57.4%) or do not fit well (48.6%). Many indicated improper storage conditions and/or did not follow manufacturer’s replacement recommendations. Most (75.4%) reported a high level of comfort with recognizing concussion signs, with half experiencing a prior head injury. Conclusion: This information suggests opportunities for intervention to improve helmet use through increased fit, while the responses indicate a need for further education on proper helmet use.

The cost of a single concussion in American high school football: a retrospective cohort study

Aim: The potential financial burden of American football-related concussions (FRC) is unknown. Our objective was to describe the healthcare costs associated with an FRC and determine factors associated with increased costs. Methodology/results: A retrospective cohort study of concussed high school football players presenting between November 2017 and March 2020 was undertaken; 144 male high school football players were included. Total costs were about $115,000, for an average direct healthcare cost of $800.10/concussion. Visiting the emergency department (β = 502.29, 95% CI: 105.79–898.61; p = 0.01), the initial post-concussion symptom scale score (β = 0.39, 95% CI: 0.11–0.66; p = 0.01) and a post-concussion syndrome diagnosis (β = 670.37, 95% CI: 98.96–1241.79; p = 0.02) were each independently associated with total costs. Conclusion: A granular understanding of cost-driving factors associated with FRC is the first step in understanding the cost–effectiveness of prevention and treatment methods.