Abstract
Introduction Sport-related concussion is one of the most common injuries in adolescent rugby players with evidence of prolonged recovery in some concussed athletes. Concussion is a complex pathophysiological process that can affect a variety of subsystems with multifactorial presentation. Most research on adolescents recovery after concussion focuses on neurocognitive functioning and symptom outcomes over the short term. There is a need to explore concussion recovery over time across multiple subsystems in adolescent rugby players.
Methods and analysis This prospective study will use sensorimotor and oculomotor outcomes in adolescent male and female rugby players aged 16–18 years. Players will be recruited from school or club rugby teams across the province of Ulster. Baseline assessment will be undertaken at the start of the playing season and will include questionnaires, Quantified Y Balance Test and Pupillary Light Reflex. Players who sustain a concussive event will be reassessed on all outcomes at 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 23 days, 90 days, 180 days and 365 days postconcussion. For serial outcome data, we will examine response curves for each participant and make comparisons between known groups. We will use logistic regression to explore any association between demographic variables and recovery. The strength of the predictive model will be determined using R2, p values and ORs, with 95% CIs.
Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been granted for this study from Ulster University Research Ethics Committee (REC/14/0060). This study will be published in an open-access research journal on completion.
Trial registration number ACTRN12622000931774p.
Methods and analysis This prospective study will use sensorimotor and oculomotor outcomes in adolescent male and female rugby players aged 16–18 years. Players will be recruited from school or club rugby teams across the province of Ulster. Baseline assessment will be undertaken at the start of the playing season and will include questionnaires, Quantified Y Balance Test and Pupillary Light Reflex. Players who sustain a concussive event will be reassessed on all outcomes at 3 days, 7 days, 14 days, 23 days, 90 days, 180 days and 365 days postconcussion. For serial outcome data, we will examine response curves for each participant and make comparisons between known groups. We will use logistic regression to explore any association between demographic variables and recovery. The strength of the predictive model will be determined using R2, p values and ORs, with 95% CIs.
Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval has been granted for this study from Ulster University Research Ethics Committee (REC/14/0060). This study will be published in an open-access research journal on completion.
Trial registration number ACTRN12622000931774p.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e073677 |
| Pages (from-to) | 1-7 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | BMJ Open |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 8 |
| Early online date | 2 Aug 2023 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published (in print/issue) - 2 Aug 2023 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research is to be completed during a PhD funded by the Department for the Economy at Ulster University. These provide for the payments of approved fees and the maintenance of students while being trained in methods of PhD research as such there is no specific award/grant number for this project from my funder that I can provide. The funding body will have no impact on the study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation of data or in writing the manuscript.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 BMJ Publishing Group. All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Humans
- Male
- Adolescent
- Female
- Prospective Studies
- Rugby
- Football/injuries
- Brain Concussion/diagnosis
- Surveys and Questionnaires
- Athletic Injuries/diagnosis
- Paediatric neurology
- SPORTS MEDICINE
