A-38 Sport-related Concussion as a Stressor: Differential Memory for Emotion and Neutral Words

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To explore if the acute stress associated with sport-related concussion (SRC) leads to differential memory for neutral versus emotion words. Based on a Roozendaal and colleagues’ (2002) model of stress and memory, we hypothesized: Following SRC, athletes will demonstrate better recall for neutral compared to emotion words at immediate recall but demonstrate the reverse pattern on delayed recall, with better recall for emotion compared to neutral words. Methods: 80 (73 Males,7 Females) collegiate athletes completed a neuropsychological evaluation within 14 days of SRC. Two verbal learning and memory tasks were administered: neutral words [Hopkins Verbal Learning Test-Revised (HVLT-R)] and emotion words [Affective Word List (AWL)]. Both tasks had three learning trials and a delayed (20–25 minutes) recall. Paired samples t-tests were conducted to compare memory for emotion words (AWL) and neutral words (HVLT-R): AWL Total Immediate Recall vs. HVLT-R Total Immediate Recall and AWL Delayed Recall vs. HVLT-R Delayed Recall. Results: Following concussion, athletes’ memory for neutral words (M = 94.92, SD = 16.17) did not significantly differ from memory for emotion words (M = 96.83, SD = 18.28) on immediate recall trials, (t(79) = −0.91, p = 0.37, d = 0.11). However, memory for emotion words (M = 96.83, SD = 16.98) was significantly better than memory for neutral words (M = 90.84, SD = 20.58) after a delay, (t(79) = 2.97, p = 0.004, d = −0.33). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that the stress associated with SRC differentially impacts delayed retrieval of neutral compared to emotion words. Because memory is often impaired following SRC, a more nuanced examination of learning and memory can help clinicians understand neuropsychological deficits associated with SRC, and possibly have implications for addressing memory difficulties.