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Updated: Jul 28, 2026
A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
US physical therapist practice patterns evaluating concussion and clinical practice guideline adherence
Ali Ladak1, Joy R Karges-Brown2, Brandon M Ness3
1Center for Rehabilitation, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
Objectives:
To assess the influence of contemporary physical therapy clinical practice guidelines (CPG) on concussion evaluation practice patterns and barriers/facilitators for CPG adherence.
Design:
Electronic cross-sectional survey.
Setting:
Online survey platform.
Participants:
US licensed physical therapists that manage concussion.
Main Outcome Measures:
1) practice patterns 2) knowledge/use of CPG 3) barriers/facilitations to CPG adherence.
Results:
Knowledge/use of CPG categories significantly predicted the model (χ2(1) = 10.966, p < .001) of total vignette scores/practice patterns with a statistically significant effect. A Kruskal-Wallis test indicated significant differences in total vignette score means based on knowledge/use between "not aware of the concussion CPG" and "integrated concussion CPG into practice" groups (p < .001, ES = .21). Knowledge/use of the CPG predicted the perceived barriers/facilitators model for three questions: investment in specialized concussion training (χ2(1) = 39.52, p < .001), necessary equipment to complete concussion evaluation (χ2(1) = 16.01, p < .001), and confidence around concussion evaluation knowledge (χ2(1) = 27.46, p < .001) with a significant effect.
Conclusion:
The results of this study provide support for guiding documents like the CPG to positively influence concussion practice patterns and insight into facilitators for guideline adherence.
