HHS Public Access Author manuscript Author Manuscript
J Trauma Acute Care Surg. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 September 01. Published in final edited form as: J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2015 September ; 79(3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3): S21–S28. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000000675.
Impact of preseason concussion education on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of high school athletes Brad G. Kurowski, MD, MS1,2, Wendy J. Pomerantz, MD, MS2,3, Courtney Schaiper, MS2, Mona Ho, MS3, and Michael A. Gittelman, MD2,3 1Division
of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
Author Manuscript
2Comprehensive
Children’s Injury Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
3Division
of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
Abstract Background—The benefit of preseason concussion education on athletes’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors is unclear. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of preseason concussion education on knowledge and self-reported attitudes and reporting behaviors. We hypothesized that preseason education would lead to better knowledge and self-reported attitudes and better reporting of concussion symptoms during the season.
Author Manuscript
Methods—Prospective cohort comparing the benefits of a preseason lectured-based concussion education session at one high school with a control school. Participants included males and females age 13–18 years from two community high schools who were participating in higher concussion risk, fall or winter sports (football, soccer, wrestling, and basketball). The education school and control school included 234 and 262 participants, respectively. Outcomes were a preand post-season survey assessing knowledge and self-reported attitudes about concussions and an end of season questionnaire assessing concussion reporting behaviors during the season. Results—Total scores on the combined (p3
6(2.53)
3 (1.14)
84 (35.90%)
205 (78.24)
Family
31(13.25)
77(29.39)
School
31(13.25)
104(39.69)
Coach
26(11.11)
84(32.06)
Athletic Trainer
29(12.39)
121(46.18)
History of Prior Concussion If yes, how many concussion have you had?
Taught about concussions*
Author Manuscript
Source of concussion education***
J Trauma Acute Care Surg. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 September 01.
Kurowski et al.
Page 17
Education School n=234(47.18%)
Control School n=262(52.82%)
Doctor
50(21.37)
103(39.31)
Other
7(2.99)
6(2.29)
Demographics: n(%)
Author Manuscript
*
Significant difference between education and control schools p
J Trauma Acute Care Surg. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 September 01. Published in final edited form as: J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2015 September ; 79(3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3): S21–S28. doi: 10.1097/TA.0000000000000675.
Impact of preseason concussion education on knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of high school athletes Brad G. Kurowski, MD, MS1,2, Wendy J. Pomerantz, MD, MS2,3, Courtney Schaiper, MS2, Mona Ho, MS3, and Michael A. Gittelman, MD2,3 1Division
of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
Author Manuscript
2Comprehensive
Children’s Injury Center, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH
3Division
of Emergency Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
Abstract Background—The benefit of preseason concussion education on athletes’ knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors is unclear. The purpose of the study was to determine the influence of preseason concussion education on knowledge and self-reported attitudes and reporting behaviors. We hypothesized that preseason education would lead to better knowledge and self-reported attitudes and better reporting of concussion symptoms during the season.
Author Manuscript
Methods—Prospective cohort comparing the benefits of a preseason lectured-based concussion education session at one high school with a control school. Participants included males and females age 13–18 years from two community high schools who were participating in higher concussion risk, fall or winter sports (football, soccer, wrestling, and basketball). The education school and control school included 234 and 262 participants, respectively. Outcomes were a preand post-season survey assessing knowledge and self-reported attitudes about concussions and an end of season questionnaire assessing concussion reporting behaviors during the season. Results—Total scores on the combined (p3
6(2.53)
3 (1.14)
84 (35.90%)
205 (78.24)
Family
31(13.25)
77(29.39)
School
31(13.25)
104(39.69)
Coach
26(11.11)
84(32.06)
Athletic Trainer
29(12.39)
121(46.18)
History of Prior Concussion If yes, how many concussion have you had?
Taught about concussions*
Author Manuscript
Source of concussion education***
J Trauma Acute Care Surg. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2016 September 01.
Kurowski et al.
Page 17
Education School n=234(47.18%)
Control School n=262(52.82%)
Doctor
50(21.37)
103(39.31)
Other
7(2.99)
6(2.29)
Demographics: n(%)
Author Manuscript
*
Significant difference between education and control schools p
