Academic Effects of Concussion in Children and Adolescents

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study the nature and extent of the adverse academic effects faced by students recovering from concussion.METHOD: A sample of 349 students ages 5 to 18 who sustained a concussion and their parents reported academic concerns and problems (eg, symptoms interfering, diminished academic skills) on a structured school questionnaire within 4 weeks of injury. Postconcussion symptoms were measured as a marker of injury severity. Results were examined based on recovery status (recovered or actively symptomatic) and level of schooling (elementary, middle, and high school). RESULTS:Actively symptomatic students and their parents reported higher levels of concern for the impact of concussion on school performance (P , .05) and more school-related problems (P , .001) than recovered peers and their parents. High school students who had not yet recovered reported significantly more adverse academic effects than their younger counterparts (P , .05). Greater severity of postconcussion symptoms was associated with more school-related problems and worse academic effects, regardless of time since injury (P , .001).CONCLUSIONS: This study provides initial evidence for a concussion's impact on academic learning and performance, with more adverse effects reported by students who had not yet recovered from the injury. School-based management with targeted recommendations informed by postinjury symptoms may mitigate adverse academic effects, reduce parent and student concerns for the impact of the injury on learning and scholastic performance, and lower the risk of prolonged recovery for students with active postconcussion symptoms. WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT:Concussion produces a range of symptoms that may impede academic functioning. The need for empirical validation exists, despite growing consensus on the importance of a guided return-to-school process for students recovering from concussion. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS:This study provides initial evidence of a concussion' s adverse effects on academic learning and performance across all grades, including heightened levels of schoolrelated concern and amplified postinjury academic difficulties experienced by symptomatic students relative to their recovered peers.

Epidemiology of Injury in Elite English Schoolboy Rugby Union: A 3-Year Study Comparing Different Competitions

“…The injury incidence we showed for AASE players is concerning given the negative effect sports injuries can have on school attendance and sports participation. 18 Ransom et al 19 found negative academic effects in those recovering from concussion, which may further affect AASE players given the high concussion rate during AASE matches.…”

Examining Academic Support After Concussion for the Adolescent Student-Athlete: Perspectives of the Athletic Trainer

“…21 Regardless, the academic demands of secondary school education may warrant the facilitation of timely, informal academic adjustments to prevent falling behind and to reduce school-related anxiety. 4 Athletic trainers can help bridge the gap between medical recommendations and school implementation by becoming more familiar with return-to-learn resources and school and district policies and by communicating more frequently with school professionals.…”

“…3 Yet compliance with cognitive rest may pose challenges for adolescents during the academic year. 4 Patients have often reported returning to school before concussion symptoms have subsided, 5 which may prolong recovery and affect academic performance. Previous researchers 6,7 have observed an increase in symptoms and a decrease in cognitive performance with bouts of cognitive activity after concussion.…”

Primary care physicians and the management of pediatric concussion: A quandary

“…In addition, 63% reported a decline in grades. This is not surprising given the findings by Ranson, et al that the more symptoms a post-concussed patient had while in school the more poorly they performed academically [15].…”