A comparison of public views about sports concussion recovery with current guidelines: where are the gaps and overlaps?

Karen A. Sullivan; Kannan Singaravelu Jaganathan

doi:10.1071/IB23122

RESEARCH ARTICLE (Open Access)

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A comparison of public views about sports concussion recovery with current guidelines: where are the gaps and overlaps?

Karen A. Sullivan

^A ^* and Kannan Singaravelu Jaganathan

^A

+ Author Affiliations

- Author Affiliations

^A School of Psychology and Counselling, Queensland University of Technology, O Block B Wing, Kelvin Grove Campus, Victoria Park Road, Kelvin Grove, Brisbane, Qld 4059, Australia.

^* Correspondence to: karen.sullivan@qut.edu.au

Handling Editor: Alice Theadom

Brain Impairment 25, IB23122 https://doi.org/10.1071/IB23122

Submitted: 29 November 2023 Accepted: 5 May 2024 Published: 27 May 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of the Australasian Society for the Study of Brain Impairment. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY).

Abstract

Background

Sports concussion (SC) management guidelines have recently been updated. A key focus is the emphasis on rest (immediately postinjury) followed by gradual resumption of activity (active recovery). This study aimed to explore community views on SC management and compared these with the guidelines.

Methods

A total of 157 volunteers completed an online SC survey, including listing three pieces of advice for a concussed person immediately postinjury, and after 2 weeks (subacute). Quantitative data were statistically compared, and qualitative data underwent content analysis.

Results

Almost all participants offered different immediate versus subacute advice; however, rest featured highly at both timepoints. Commonly expressed themes, consistent with guidelines were immediate rest; safety and reinjury prevention; and symptom monitoring. Two themes were identified in the community advice with limited emphasis in the guidelines: general health advice and psychological and social support. Expert clinical assessment was not always identified in community advice.

Conclusion

Community members hold some views that align with expert advice for SC, particularly the importance of immediate postinjury rest. However, there is scope to grow public awareness of some recommended practices, including expert clinical assessment following injury and when to engage in active recovery.

Keywords: concussion, injury prevention, practice guidelines, public education, rehabilitation, sports injury, traumatic brain injury.

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