ObjectivePoor concussion knowledge in the community has been linked to reduced injury identification. This study investigated if concussion knowledge could be improved by providing standard postinjury advice (written brochure).MethodsThis study was a prospective, controlled study, with random allocation of 199 Australian adults to receive either a concussion information (CI, n=101), or non-CI (n=98). All participants completed the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey on three occasions: pre-education and posteducation, and 1 week later.ResultsA 2 (condition) × 3 (occasion) mixed analysis of variance with concussion knowledge as the dependent variable did not find a statistically significant interaction (p>0.05). This result was unchanged: (1) with the covariate addition of background education and; (2) in a subgroup analysis (individuals with initially ‘low’ self-rated knowledge). Some key misconceptions about concussion were identified.ConclusionThe community knowledge of concussion was not significantly improved by the concussion advice. Since injury recognition relies ton an extent on community knowledge, the identified misconceptions should be addressed. This could occur via public health messaging. In clinical settings and for future research, the next steps should also include regular updating of concussion information to keep pace with advances in the field.

Objectives: Increasing concussion knowledge could contribute to improving injury outcomes. Understanding the predictors of concussion knowledge could determine the areas of educational need. This study examined whether individual factors, prior brain injury, prior concussion education, and contact-sports participation predicted concussion knowledge. Design and Setting: Cross-sectional study with recruitment of community volunteers. Participants: An online survey was completed by 525 adults, 443 of whom provided useable responses. Main Measures: The respondents provided background information and completed the Concussion Knowledge Index from the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (RoCKAS). Results: On average, the participants answered 19.8 out of 25 items correctly. A multiple regression model with demographic, injury, and sport-related variables did not significantly predict concussion knowledge. Conclusion: This community sample had higher than expected concussion knowledge (restricted range), but some important misconceptions were still present. The model reflecting a combination of self-reported factors did not predict concussion knowledge. The implications for concussion education are discussed, including the need for targeted education to address specific misconceptions.

Context: Exercise rehabilitation for postconcussion symptoms (PCS) has shown some benefits in adolescent athletes; but a synthesis of evidence on exercise per se has been lacking. Objective: This systematic review aimed to determine if unimodal exercise interventions are useful to treat PCS and if so, to identify a set of clearly defined and effective exercise parameters for further research. Evidence Acquisition: Relevant health databases and clinical trial registries were searched from inception to June 2022. The searches used a combination of subject headings and keywords related to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), PCSs, and exercise. Two independent reviewers screened and appraised the literature. The Cochrane Collaboration’s Risk of Bias-2 tool for randomized controlled trials was used to assess methodological quality of studies. Evidence Synthesis: Seven studies were included in the review. Four studies were assessed to have a low overall risk of bias, 2 with low risk and 1 with some concerns. Participants in the studies comprised mostly adolescents with sports-related concussion. The review found exercise to be more beneficial than control conditions in 2 studies investigating acute PCS and 2 studies investigating persistent PCS. Within-group differences showing symptom improvement over time were observed in all 7 studies. In general, the review found support for programmatic exercise that commences after an initial period of rest for 24 to 48 hours. Recommendations for exercise parameters that can be explored in subsequent research include progressive aerobic exercise starting from 10 to 15 minutes at least 4 times a week, at a starting intensity of 50% HR of the subsymptom threshold, with length of program depending on recovery. Conclusion: The evidence in support of exercise rehabilitation for PCSs is moderate based on the small pool of eligible studies. Further research can be guided by the exercise parameters identified in this review.

Objective In order to prevent concussion and promote help-seeking behaviour, this study sought to establish baseline concussion knowledge scores in the general population and to better understand the factors that influence variations in these scores. Data Selection Participants were (N = 223) individuals over the age of 18 years (M = 35.21, SD = 14.31) recruited from the general population via an online questionnaire. Designed to measure knowledge of concussion, the questionnaire contained demographics, grouping variables (previous concussion education, n = 74; history of concussion, n = 72; and participation in contact sport, n = 36), and 37-items from the Concussion Knowledge Index (CKI) of the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey (RoCKAS). Results Concussion knowledge was higher than expected with 79.12% of participants responding correctly to CKI items. Group comparisons found individuals with prior concussion education to be significantly higher than individuals without U = 4382.50, z = −2.526, p = .01 (two-tailed), the effect was small r = .21. There was no difference in knowledge scores for gender, participants with a history of concussion or those who participate in contact sport. Conclusion When compared to similar studies sampling contact sports players, concussion knowledge was higher than expected. High-risk groups within the study (history of concussion and contact sport) were similarly informed than the general population. Further research is needed to understand whether higher knowledge translates to increased injury reporting and safer behaviour.

Objective: Athletes perceive sports fans as a source of concussion nondisclosure pressure. Sports fans are exposed to injury depictions from the media that could lead them to underestimate its seriousness. This study examined the concussion knowledge of non-sports fans, sports fans, and wagering sports fans, as knowledge is a modifiable factor that can influence injury disclosure. Setting and participants: A convenience sample of 443 Australian adults completed an online survey. Design: Cross-sectional. Main measures: Self-rated and actual concussion knowledge (the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitudes Survey; RoCKAS). Results: There was no significant difference in the concussion knowledge of self-identified sports (n = 157) and non-sports (n = 286) fans; but sports fans rated their knowledge as significantly higher than non-sports fans (p < .05). Wagering sports fans (n = 24) had significantly less concussion knowledge than non-wagering sports fans (η2 = .03, small effect). Discussion: Athletes who feel nondisclosure pressure from sports fans may be influenced by people with incomplete concussion knowledge, particularly wagering sports fans. Sports fans over-estimated their knowledge, and this could contribute to the nondisclosure pressure felt by athletes. Programmes to increase injury disclosure by athletes should take these factors into consideration.