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The neuropsychological impact of sports-related concussion: A meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2005

HEATHER G. BELANGER
Affiliation:
James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Tampa, Florida
RODNEY D. VANDERPLOEG
Affiliation:
James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida Department of Psychiatry, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Tampa, Florida

Abstract

There is increasing interest in the potential neuropsychological impact of sports-related concussion. A meta-analysis of the relevant literature was conducted to determine the impact of sports-related concussion across six cognitive domains. The analysis was based on 21 studies involving 790 cases of concussion and 2014 control cases. The overall effect of concussion (d = 0.49) was comparable to the effect found in the non-sports-related mild traumatic brain injury population (d = 0.54; Belanger et al., 2005). Using sports-concussed participants with a history of prior head injury appears to inflate the effect sizes associated with the current sports-related concussion. Acute effects (within 24 hr of injury) of concussion were greatest for delayed memory, memory acquisition, and global cognitive functioning (d = 1.00, 1.03, and 1.42, respectively). However, no residual neuropsychological impairments were found when testing was completed beyond 7 days postinjury. These findings were moderated by cognitive domain and comparison group (control group versus preconcussion self-control). Specifically, delayed memory in studies utilizing a control group remained problematic at 7 days. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed. (JINS, 2005, 11, 345–357.)

Type
Research Article
Copyright
© 2005 The International Neuropsychological Society

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