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Cognitive factors in Postconcussion Syndrome symptom report
1Department of Psychology, Ohio University, 200 Porter Hall, Athens, OH 45701, USA.
Summary
Non-neurologic factors like depression and pain significantly influence Postconcussion Syndrome (PCS) symptom reporting. Head injury status alone is less critical, raising concerns about self-reported symptom diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Medical Diagnosis
Background:
- Postconcussion Syndrome (PCS) symptom reporting is influenced by various factors.
- Previous research indicates head injury, depression, pain, and expectation play roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relative contribution of head injury, depression, pain, and treatment-seeking behavior on PCS symptom reporting.
- To compare current and past PCS symptom rates and assess underestimation of premorbid symptoms.
Main Methods:
- 190 undergraduates were divided into 8 groups to analyze factors influencing PCS symptom report.
- Comparison of symptom rates between groups, including controls, depressed individuals, and headache sufferers.
Main Results:
- Depressed individuals and treated headache sufferers reported higher rates of PCS symptoms.
- Five groups reported more current than past symptoms, indicating a temporal shift.
- Head-injured and headache-suffering groups underestimated their premorbid symptom rates.
Conclusions:
- Non-neurologic factors, such as depression and pain, are more strongly associated with PCS symptom report than head injury status.
- Self-reported PCS symptoms may be unreliable for diagnosing head injuries due to the influence of psychological factors.