A-47 Vestibular Symptoms and Recovery Time in Sport-Related Concussions among Collegiate Athletes

Abstract

Abstract Purpose This study represents the initial phase in testing self-reported vestibular symptoms as potential predictive factors of protracted concussion recovery times among collegiate athletes. Methods Vestibular Symptoms Scale–Short Form (VSS-SF) was administered to 24 collegiate athletes (12 females, 12 males; ages=18-21) at baseline and post-injury. Participant data was grouped by number of days until symptom resolution post-concussion (1-10 days [N=13], 11-60 days [N=11]) and VSS-SF discrepancy scores (d-scores). To calculate d-scores, baseline scores were subtracted from post-injury scores for each athlete. Instances in which baseline scores were higher than post-injury were assigned a discrepancy score of 0. Concussion symptoms were documented using Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) and Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, 5th Edition (SCAT-5). Results Results from an independent samples t-test demonstrated that VSS-SF d-scores were significantly higher among athletes with 11+ post-concussive recovery days (M=9.64, SD=10.21) compared to those with 1-10 recovery days (M=2.92, SD=3.77), t(22)=2.21, p=.019). Additionally, a simple regression revealed that d-scores significantly predicted recovery time and explained 23.9% of the variance (b=.44, R2=.24, p=.015). Interaction and mediation results will be presented and discussed. Conclusions Results suggest that changes in VSS-SF pre- and post-concussion can differentiate athletes with relatively short versus longer recovery time and predict length of concussion recovery. Further research with a larger number of participants appears warranted.