Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 17, 2026
A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
Psychological Impact of Cognitive Rest Following Sport-Related Concussion on Low Socioeconomic Status Adolescent
Tamerah N Hunt1, Laura L Harris
1School of Health and Kinesiology, Georgia Southern University, PO Box 8076, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA. Tel 912-478-8620, fax 912-478-0210. thunt@georgiasouthern.edu.
Purpose:
Describe the psychological impact of cognitive rest in adolescents recovering from concussion from sport-related concussion.
Methods:
Eight male football players with a previous sport concussion and full recovery completed semi-structured interviews during focus group sessions. Using content analysis, the researchers independently analyzed notes and transcriptions to identify themes associated with the psychological impact of cognitive rest.
Results:
Common themes included: 1) sport as social support, and 2) boredom-complicated recovery following cognitive rest.
Conclusions:
The current treatment protocol indicating cognitive rest and removal from school and sport may be detrimental in a population that is peer-dependent. Future research should explore generalizability and additional factors that may complicate psychological recovery of adolescent athletes following concussive injuries.
