Wheelchair Athlete Concussion Baseline Data: A Pilot Retrospective Analysis
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Updated: Dec 3, 2025
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Published on: December 8, 2014
Michael W Harper1, Jonathan Lee, Katherine A Sherman
1From the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical College of Wisconsin, Hub for Collaborative Medicine, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MWH, KKKL); Case Western Reserve University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (JL); Clement J. Zablocki Veterans Affairs Medical Center (ZVAMC), Milwaukee, Wisconsin (KAS); Department of Emergency Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MJU); Department of Emergency Medicine, ZVAMC, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (MJU); and Spinal Cord Injury Division, ZVAMC, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (KKKL).
Objective:
The aim of the study was to investigate whether a disabled athlete's underlying disability and concussion history impact the score on baseline testing from a disability modified Graded Symptoms Checklist, Standardized Assessment of Concussion, and Wheelchair Error Scoring System.
Study Design:
This is a retrospective chart review of the 81 veteran wheelchair sports athletes who had baseline concussion evaluations. Demographic data including qualifying disability for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, scores from the modified Graded Symptoms Checklist, Standardized Assessment of Concussion, and Wheelchair Error Scoring System were analyzed.
Results:
Forty-three percent of wheelchair athletes reported a history of a concussion. Individuals with a history of a concussion displayed more symptoms on the modified Graded Symptoms Checklist (38.8 vs. 24.71, P = 0.0378) as did those who had a qualifying disability in the brain disorder category (54.87 vs. amputees 24.07 and spinal cord disorders 24.9, P = 0.0015). There was no difference in Standardized Assessment of Concussion examination or Wheelchair Error Scoring System scores based on concussion history or qualifying disability.
Conclusions:
Baseline symptom scores from a modified Graded Symptoms Checklist were higher in participants with a history of concussion, independent of their underlying disability, and higher if the athlete's disability was a brain disorder including multiple sclerosis and cerebral vascular accident. Scores on the Standardized Assessment of Concussion examination and Wheelchair Error Scoring System were not affected by the athlete's disability or concussion history. Baseline testing is integral for disabled athletes, especially those with underlying brain disorders and history of concussion.
