Does Trauma Influence Post-concussive Symptom Recovery in Youth?

Abstract

Abstract Objective Minimal research has focused on youth concussions acquired in traumatic events versus non-traumatic events, despite overlap between post-concussive and post-traumatic stress symptoms. Youth sustaining a concussion during a motor vehicle accident (MVA) may endorse greater emotional and cognitive symptoms than those with sports-related concussion (SRC). This study’s aim was to compare recovery from concussion due to MVA versus SRC to determine if recovery profiles differ. Data Selection Participants aged 7-25 who reported to clinic within 30 days of SRC (n = 329) or MVA-related concussion (n = 67) and endorsed persistent post-concussive symptomatology (>1 month) were selected from the North Texas Concussion Registry (ConTex). Data collected at initial visit and 3-month follow-up included a four-factor symptom checklist (physical, emotional, cognitive, sleep), GAD-7 for anxiety, and PHQ-8 for depression. Data Synthesis Repeated measures ANOVA compared longitudinal score differences. MVA and SRC groups significantly improved on all measures at follow up; however, the MVA group reported higher symptomatology on all measures at both visits (ps < .01). For all cognitive and emotional scores, a significant interaction was found (ps < .01), with the MVA group demonstrating greater improvement over 3 months (See Image Attachment). Conclusions Mechanism of injury influences post-concussion symptom recovery. Despite greater improvement in cognitive and emotional symptoms between visits, the MVA group endorsed significantly higher post-concussive symptomatology across the recovery period. Perhaps because of trauma related to mechanism of injury, specific differences in cognitive and emotional symptom presentation/recovery profiles were observed. Posttraumatic stress symptom assessment may be useful in examining the influence of potential trauma/reactions on post-concussive symptom recovery.