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Published on: September 25, 2014
Changes in Driving Behaviors After Concussion in Adolescents
Catherine C McDonald1, Divya Jain2, Eileen P Storey3
1School of Nursing, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Department of Pediatrics, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Center for Injury Research and Prevention, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Penn Injury Science Center, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Many adolescents drive after concussion, sometimes with changes, before returning to sports. Gradual return to driving may be appropriate, mirroring recommendations for school reentry.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Sports Medicine
- Adolescent Health
Background:
- Guidelines exist for return to learn, exercise, and sports post-concussion.
- Research on return to driving after concussion is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize and compare adolescent driving behaviors after concussion.
- To investigate the relationship between driving changes and concussion symptom severity.
Main Methods:
- Data from the Minds Matter Concussion Registry of adolescents (16-19 years) diagnosed with concussion within 28 days.
- Assessed patient-reported driving behaviors, Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory scores, and return to school, exercise, and sports.
- Descriptive statistics, ANCOVA, and chi-square tests were performed.
Main Results:
- 46.9% of adolescent drivers returned to driving post-concussion; 58.9% reported no driving changes.
- Higher Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory scores were associated with driving changes and not driving.
- Few adolescents returned to exercise (15.4%) or sports (6.0%).
Conclusions:
- Adolescents frequently resume driving post-concussion, often before returning to physical activities.
- Recommendations for gradual school reentry suggest a similar approach may be warranted for driving.
- Further research is needed to establish evidence-based guidelines for return to driving.
