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Neuropsychological performance following a history of multiple self-reported concussions: A meta-analysis

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2009

HEATHER G. BELANGER*
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, James A. Haley VA, Tampa, Florida Department of Psychology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center, Tampa, Florida
ERIC SPIEGEL
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, James A. Haley VA, Tampa, Florida
RODNEY D. VANDERPLOEG
Affiliation:
Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, James A. Haley VA, 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
*
*Correspondence and reprint requests to: Heather Belanger, James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, Mental Health & Behavioral Sciences – 116B, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Tampa, FL 33612. E-mail: heather.belanger@va.gov

Abstract

Debate continues about the long-term neuropsychological impact of multiple mild traumatic brain injuries (MTBI). A meta-analysis of the relevant literature was conducted to determine the impact of having a history of more than one self-reported MTBI (versus just one MTBI) across seven cognitive domains, as well as symptom complaints. The analysis was based on 8 studies, all conducted with athletes, involving 614 cases of multiple MTBI and 926 control cases of a single MTBI. The overall effect of multiple MTBI on neuropsychological functioning was minimal and not significant (d = 0.06). However, follow-up analyses revealed that multiple self-reported MTBI was associated with poorer performance on measures of delayed memory and executive functioning. The implications and limitations of these findings are discussed. (JINS, 2010, 16, 262–267.)

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2009

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