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Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(05): 419-425
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1395587
Clinical Sciences
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Sports-Related Concussion in Helmeted vs. Unhelmeted Athletes: Who Fares Worse?[*]

S. L. Zuckerman
1   Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
,
Y. M. Lee
2   Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
,
M. J. Odom
1   Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
,
J. A. Forbes
3   Neurosurgery, David Grant Medical Center, Travis Air Force Base, United States
,
G. S. Solomon
1   Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
,
A. K. Sills
1   Neurosurgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 22 September 2014

Publication Date:
09 February 2015 (online)

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Abstract

In the management of sports-related concussion, little is known about the effect of wearing or not wearing a helmet (i. e., helmet status) on the acute outcomes of concussed athletes. We endeavored to assess acute neurocognitive and symptom changes after SRC in helmeted vs. unhelmeted athletes. In a retrospective study, 1 025 athletes from 2 regional databases sustained a SRC. Athletes were matched by age, gender, number of prior concussions, and days to post-concussion test, yielding a final cohort of 138 athletes. For each group of 69, differences in post-concussion neurocognitive and symptom scores were compared using group mean differences as well as reliable change index (RCI) scores set at the 80% confidence interval. With gender, prior concussions, and days to post-concussion test similar in each group, using group mean change scores and RCI methodology, we found no significant differences between the helmeted and unhelmeted groups in 4 neurocognitive tests and one total symptom score. In a cohort of carefully matched athletes from 2 regional concussion centers, helmet status was unrelated to neurocognitive scores and total symptoms in athletes after suffering a SRC. These findings suggest that acute outcomes in helmeted vs. unhelmeted sports are quite similar.

Key words

concussion - sports - helmet - unhelmeted - protective headgear - mild traumatic brain injury - imPACT
*

* There were no external sources of financial support for this manuscript


 

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