Concussion reporting intention: a valuable metric for predicting reporting behavior and evaluating concussion...

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurology
• Psychology

Background:

• Concussion education programs often focus on knowledge acquisition.
• Understanding factors influencing athlete reporting behavior is crucial for effective concussion management.
• Previous research has not consistently identified predictors of in-season concussion reporting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if preseason concussion knowledge and reporting intention predict in-season concussion reporting behavior in collegiate male ice hockey players.
• To explore the relationship between symptom reporting intention and actual reporting behavior.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study involving 116 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's ice hockey players.
• Preseason assessment of concussion knowledge and intention to report "minor" concussion symptoms.
• Postseason recall of non-reporting of post-impact symptoms as the primary outcome measure.

Main Results:

• Preseason concussion knowledge did not significantly predict in-season reporting behavior.
• Intention to report concussion symptoms was a significant predictor of in-season reporting behavior.
• A significant interaction was observed between the number of symptoms experienced and both reporting intention and behavior.

Conclusions:

• Reporting intention, rather than concussion knowledge alone, is a stronger predictor of actual concussion reporting behavior.
• Concussion education program evaluations should incorporate measures of reporting intention.
• Future concussion education initiatives should target psychosocial factors that enhance reporting intention.