Mild cognitive impairment in retired professional football players with a history of mild traumatic brain injury: A pilot investigation.

This study compared cognitive profiles of individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), finding that retired athletes with history of concussion and non-athletes without history of concussion performed similarly on many cognitive domains (verbal memory, verbal fluency, and processing speed), with athletes demonstrating somewhat lower scores on naming and speeded visual attention measures. Results suggest overall…

Affective distress explains discrepancy between objective and subjective cognitive functioning after mild traumatic brain injury.

This study examined factors that relate to level of cognitive symptoms among individuals seen in an interdisciplinary concussion clinic. These results highlight the importance of considering sleep, affective symptoms, time since injury, and age in concussion care and management. Hromas, G. A., Houck, Z. M., Asken, B. M., Svingos, A. M., Greif, S. M., Heaton,…

If you’ve been asked about using EEG as part of concussion diagnosis…

If you’ve been asked about using EEG as part of concussion diagnosis or management, Neuropsychology Review published a review article you should read: The Use of Electroencephalography as an Informative Tool in Assisting Early Clinical Management after Sport-Related Concussion: a Systematic Review The publication is linked below: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32577950/

Testing the hybrid battery approach to evaluating sports-related concussion in the NHL

Separate factor structures for pencil-and-paper assessment vs. computerized assessment of concussion support a hybrid assessment model. Echemendia, R.J., Thelen,J., Meeuwisse, W., Comper,P., Hutchison, M.G.,  & Bruce, J.M.  (2019). Testing the hybrid battery approach to evaluating sports-related concussion in the National Hockey League: A factor analytic study. The Clinical Neuropsychologist. Click for full article – doi.org/10.1080/13854046.2019.1690051

Preliminary evidence of a dose-response for continuing to play on recovery time after concussion.

This article discusses recovery from sports-related concussion in adolescents and provides support for immediate removal from play following a concussion. Charek, D. B., Elbin, R. J., Sufrinko, A., Schatz, P., D’Amico, N. R., Collins, M. W., & Kontos, A. P. (2020). Preliminary evidence of a dose-response for continuing to play on recovery time after concussion. The…

Return to play and risk of repeat concussion in collegiate football players

Return to play and risk of repeat concussion in collegiate football players: comparative analysis from the NCAA Concussion Study (1999–2001) and CARE Consortium (2014–2017). British Journal of Sports Medicine, 54, 102-109. McCrea, M., Broglio, S., McAllister, T., … et al. (2020).  Description: This article examines how sports concussion management and recovery have evolved over a period of 15+ years, reducing athlete risk…

Mental Health Issues and Psychological Factors in Athletes Detection, Management, Effect on Performance, and Prevention

The American Medical Society for Sports Medicine published a position statement on mental health issues and psychological factors in athletes. The statement addresses a range of factors impacting athletes and emphasizes a need for the multi-disciplinary sports medicine team to work together to best provide comprehensive care to athletes. https://journals.lww.com/cjsportsmed/Abstract/publishahead/American_Medical_Society_for_Sports_Medicine.98999.aspx

The Importance Of The Role Of Neuropsychologists In The Healing Process Of Concussion Recovery

This study by Lichtenstein and Merz highlighted the importance of the role of neuropsychologists in the healing process of concussion recovery,  Their data supported a team approach to treating sports related concussions, as well as the value of neuropsychological testing in measuring recovery. Lichtenstein, J.D., Merz, Z.C. Post-Exertion Neuropsychological Testing in the Management of Sport-Related…

A Cross-Cultural Examination Of Baseline Data Across Language Groups In The NHL

Echemendia and colleagues (2020) recently published comprehensive traditional and computerized (i.e. ImPACT) baseline normative data for approximately 8,000 NHL players (3,145 traditional tests; 4,780 ImPACT; 604 both) across 7 language groups (English, French, Swedish, German, Russian, Czech, Finnish). Analyses of those data revealed that symptom reporting, concussion history and cognitive functioning varied significantly across language…