Differential Emotional Responses of Varsity Athletes to Concussion and Musculoskeletal Injuries

Abstract

The results revealed that both injured groups experienced emotional disturbance after injury. More importantly, the findings strongly suggest that the emotional reaction after concussion is different from that of musculoskeletal injury. Therefore, we concluded that assessing emotional reactions to concussion is particularly important and recommend that sports medicine professionals assess and monitor emotional functioning as well as somatic complaints and neurocognitive changes during recovery.

A Longitudinal Pilot Study of Depressive Symptoms in Concussed and Injured/Nonconcussed National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Student-Athletes

“…Our findings support previous research in which patients who sustained anterior cruciate ligament injuries had elevated postinjury depressive scores for a longer duration than did concussed patients. 12 However, our results contrast with those of Hutchison et al, 11 who demonstrated that athletes who sustained minor musculoskeletal injuries experienced 2-week postinjury depressive symptoms that were not different from preinjury levels. Both groups used the Profile of Mood States short version, a scale consisting of 7 subscales: Tension, Depression, Anger, Vigor, Fatigue, Confusion, and Self-Esteem.…”

“…Furthermore, no significant differences in baseline CES-D scores were evident among the concussed, injured/nonconcussed, and healthy control groups. These findings support previous work [10][11][12] that suggested emotional dysfunction before injury was not the cause of the postinjury changes in depressive symptoms reported by the concussed and injured/nonconcussed groups.…”

“…We selected these time points to address specific concerns. Research [10][11][12] indicates that emotional disturbance tends to be greatest within 4 days to 2 weeks postinjury. Furthermore, although injury-recovery times can vary widely, recovery tends to be most rapid during the first month postinjury.…”

“…These findings appear to be consistent regardless of whether the injury is musculoskeletal or concussion related. [10][11][12] Depressive symptoms after head injuries are a major public health concern. Depression, commonly reported after traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) of various severities, including concussions, is the most prevalent psychological disturbance after a concussion.…”

“…This can lead to additional psychological stress, which may negatively affect the individual's perception of his or her healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL). [10][11][12]15,22 Investigators [23][24][25] have elucidated the importance of HRQOL, including in concussed patients, drawing attention to its multifaceted, complex nature and relative importance as a health indicator as compared with impairments. Despite the body of literature supporting the psychological consequences related to sports injury, few authors have specifically studied the onset of postinjury depression, especially in patients with concussions.…”