Background: Equestrian athletes (horse riders) are at high risk for head injury, including concussions. Materials & methods: Adults riders were recruited via social media posting to complete a branching survey collecting data on demographics, riding experience, helmet use, injury history and concussion symptom knowledge. Results are reported as frequencies and percentages, with associations tested using chi-square with significance level p < 0.05. Results: Of the 2598 subjects, about 75% reported always wearing a helmet. Of those who did not, the most common reasons were that helmets are unnecessary (57.4%) or do not fit well (48.6%). Many indicated improper storage conditions and/or did not follow manufacturer’s replacement recommendations. Most (75.4%) reported a high level of comfort with recognizing concussion signs, with half experiencing a prior head injury. Conclusion: This information suggests opportunities for intervention to improve helmet use through increased fit, while the responses indicate a need for further education on proper helmet use.

Background: Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) survivors are at high risk for poor quality of life (QoL). Standard outpatient neurologic assessment may not capture some affective and cognitive factors important for long-term QoL, and reintegration into normal social roles. The purpose of this study is to determine the utility of the Quality of Life in Neurological Disorders (Neuro-QoL) measures for assessment of such factors in nursing practice. Methods: Standard demographic and clinical characteristics were collected on patients >1 year post-aSAH, along with self-report information on seven Neuro-QoL measures (Ability to Participate in Social Roles and Activities [ABL]; Satisfaction with Social Roles and Activities [SATIS]; Cognitive Function [COG]; Depression [DEP]; Anxiety [ANX]; Lower Extremity Function - Mobility [LE] & Upper Extremity Function - Fine Motor [UE]). Scores are T-scores with mean 50(±10). Associations were determined using Spearman correlations or paired t-tests as appropriate. Results: Participants (N=35) were 48.6(±12.5) years, 4.7(±3.6) years post aSAH, 80% female, 65.7% African American, and mean Hunt Hess Grade 2.3(±0.8). Age, race, and gender were not associated with Neuro-QoL outcomes. Our average sample T-scores were: ABL=45.3; SATIS=47.6; COG=44.3; DEP=49.3; ANX=51.3; LE=46.5; UE=46.7. COG was associated with ABL and SATIS ( p <0.02). ANX was associated with ABL ( p =0.02). UE and LE were associated with ABL (r=0.5, p =0.001; r=0.8, p <0.0001, respectively) and SATIS (r=0.5, p =0.005; r=0.8, p <0.0001). Conclusions: The Neuro-QoL measures provide an effective tool for nursing assessment of QoL in post-aSAH. Although physical disability impairs social integration, we also found that cognitive and anxiety symptoms uniquely influenced the ability to integrate into social roles and may reduce overall QoL.