Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Thesis Format

Integrated Article

Degree

Master of Science

Program

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Supervisor

Johnson, Andrew M.

Abstract

Although some have argued that the terms concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) should not be used interchangeably, any differences between the diagnoses are subtle. In this study, we recruited 98 individuals through Amazon Mechanical Turk who self-identified as having children between the ages of 13 and 18 (inclusive). Participants were asked questions about a hypothetical injury to their child, related to symptoms, participation in school and physical activity, and recovery prognosis. Roughly half (n = 51) were asked these questions in reference to a “concussion”, and the remainder (n = 47) were asked questions in reference to an “mTBI.” Overall no significant differences were observed in terms of symptoms and prognosis, however, participants asked about an mTBI were more likely to expect activity restrictions (in both school and sports) than individuals asked about a concussion, F(6, 89) = 3.1467. This suggests an interesting dissociation between perceptions of injury severity, and attitudes toward participation. In addition, after adjusting the p-values to control for multiple comparison bias, an injury classified as an mTBI was also considered more likely than an injury classified as a concussion to: take more than a week to recover [F(1,96) = 5.66, p = 0.040]; result in symptoms that persisted for several months [F(1, 96) = 5.69, p = 0.040]; and present with feelings of sadness or depression [F(1,96) = 5.27, p = 0.040].

Summary for Lay Audience

Despite the increasing similarities that exist between the terms concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), some argue that these diagnoses should not be used interchangeably. For the purpose of this study we recruited 98 individuals through Amazon Mechanical Turk (an online crowdsourcing platform), who self-identified as a parent of at least one child between the ages of 13 and 18 years old. Participants received one of two versions of a survey that provided them with a hypothetical diagnosis for their child of either “concussion” or “mTBI.” Participants were then asked to complete 29 questions concerning their child’s expected symptoms, participation in school and physical activity, and expected recovery. Overall no significant differences were found in terms of expected symptoms or recovery between those parents who received a diagnosis of concussion for their child and those who received a diagnosis of mTBI for their child. However, participants asked about an mTBI were more likely to expect activity restrictions (in both school and physical activity) than individuals asked about a concussion. This suggests an interesting disconnect between parents’ perceptions of injury severity, and attitudes towards their child’s participation. In addition, an injury classified as an mTBI was also considered more likely than an injury classified as a concussion to: take more than a week to recover; result in symptoms that persisted for several months; and present with feelings of sadness or depression.

Download

Included in

Diagnosis Commons

Share

COinS