A - 25 Screening for Anxiety and Depression Symptoms using the Post-Concussive Symptom Scale Among Varsity Athletes

Abstract

Abstract Objective Symptoms of anxiety and depression are prevalent among athletes and often overlap with symptoms of a concussion. Clinical screeners of anxiety and depression are infrequently used by athletic teams despite the relationship between affective symptoms and protracted post-concussion recovery. The study objective was to examine associations between individual symptoms on the post-concussive symptom scale (PCSS) and gold standard measures of anxiety and depression. Methods Pre-season baseline data was collected for 296 varsity athletes from York University, Toronto. Participants were between the ages of 17 and 25 (M = 20.01 yrs, SD = 1.69 yrs; 52% male). The PCSS from the SCAT-5 was used to assess baseline symptoms. Generali. Results Moderate to strong correlations were noted between specific items of the PCSS and the GAD-7 and PHQ-9. Feeling anxious (r = 0.55), concentration problems (r = 0.40), irritability (r = 0.39), trouble falling asleep (r = 0.38), fatigue (r = 0.36), and mental fog (r = 0.35) were the highest correlations with the GAD-7 (ps < 0.001). Trouble falling asleep (r = 0.46), fatigue (r = 0.44), concentration problems (r = 0.41), memory problems (r = 0.37), feeling slowed down (r = 0.36), anxious (r = 0.36), and irritability (r = 0.36) were the highest correlations with the PHQ-9 (ps < 0.001). Conclusions These findings allow for better delineation of symptoms of the PCSS that aid in identification of athletes with symptoms of anxiety or depression, who may be at risk for endorsing persistent symptoms following a concussion.