Applied neuropsychology. Adult
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Sports-related concussion has received considerable attention from neuropsychologists, athletic trainers, team coaches, physicians, families, and athletes. In this context, researchers have recently developed computer programs for the assessment of sports-related concussion. ⋯ This article reviews the advantages and limitations of computer-based assessment of sports-related concussion. Within a well-coordinated concussion management program that includes input from a neuropsychologist, computer-based assessment of sports-related concussion will soon be the most common approach for assessing concussion in athletes.
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Appl Neuropsychol Adult · Jan 2003
Comparative StudyEpidemiological considerations of concussions among intercollegiate athletes.
The purpose of this study was to examine epidemiological trends of concussions among 15 different intercollegiate sports during the 1997-1998, 1998-1999, and 1999-2000 seasons. Data were collected using the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System (ISS). For the 15 sports studied during the 3 academic years, the NCAA ISS documented 3,535 team-seasons, 40,547 reportable injuries, 5,566,924 practice athlete exposures (AEs), and 1,090,298 game AEs. ⋯ Female athletes from all 7 sports were found to be at a lower risk for suffering concussions during practice sessions than the 8 male sports. However, female athletes were found to be at a greater risk for suffering concussions during games compared to male athletes. Injury trends over the 3- year period indicate concussions continue to be on the rise for athletes participating in collegiate football, men's soccer, and women's and men's basketball.
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Appl Neuropsychol Adult · Jan 2003
ReviewCurrent issues in the identification, assessment, and management of concussions in sports-related injuries.
The recent literature has focused on the need for appropriate identification, assessment, and management of sports-related concussion. This article addresses current issues in the prevalence and assessment of sports-related concussion. ⋯ New computerized assessment procedures are growing in popularity and use. Future directions in the assessment and management of sports-related concussion include increased research on prevalence rates and effects of concussions for females and youth athletes, educating parents of youth athletes as well as family physicians on the importance of baseline and postconcussion cognitive assessments, and further validation of computerized assessment measures.
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Appl Neuropsychol Adult · Jan 2002
Watch what you say and how you say it: differential response to speech by participants with and without head injuries.
Previous research has shown that both prosodic and content variations in speech register are important when addressing all individuals. Motherese speech register has been associated with higher levels of perceived disability and is viewed more negatively by individuals with a history of head injury. This research was conducted to investigate the separate contributions of content and prosody in producing differential response to speech by individuals with and without a history of head injury. ⋯ However, the group with head injuries consistently rated the speech with motherese content as more negative, less likable, less likely to hire, and aimed at a lower grade level. Participants with head injuries also rated the speech register with motherese prosody as less likable and less likely to hire. These results suggest that when addressing individuals with head injuries, both what you say and how you say it are important.
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Appl Neuropsychol Adult · Jan 2000
Comparative StudyPaced Visual Serial Addition Test: an alternative measure of information processing speed.
The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT; Gronwall, 1977; Gronwall & Sampson, 1974) is a measure of attention and information processing speed sensitive to mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), but it is aversive and inappropriate for many other neurologically impaired patients. This study examines a simpler, less aversive visual analog of the PASAT (the Paced Visual Serial Addition Test; PVSAT) in a sample of 74 college students (26 with a history of TBI). Results indicated that the PVSAT is moderately correlated with and less difficult than the PASAT. ⋯ Neither the PVSAT, PASAT, nor the other attentional measures differentiated participants with MTBI from normal controls in a college population. This preliminary study thus demonstrates the comparability of the two tests and presents the PVSAT as a viable alternative to the PASAT. Directions for future research and applications of these findings are discussed.