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Updated: Jul 9, 2025

A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
Concussion Risk and Recovery in Athletes With Psychostimulant-Treated Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder:
Colt A Coffman1, Brett S Gunn2, Paul F Pasquina3
1Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) diagnosis increases concussion risk and symptom duration. However, ADHD psychostimulant use may positively influence recovery and mitigate symptom severity.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder.
- Psychostimulant medications are frequently prescribed for ADHD management.
- The impact of ADHD and its treatment on concussion outcomes is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between ADHD, psychostimulant use, and concussion risk.
- To examine the effect of ADHD and psychostimulant use on concussion symptom recovery.
- To assess the influence of ADHD on the number and duration of concussion symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from the NCAA-DOD CARE Consortium (2014-2017).
- Compared individuals with ADHD (with and without psychostimulant use) to a control group without ADHD.
- Analyzed concussion incidence, symptom recovery time, and symptom burden.
Main Results:
- ADHD diagnosis, and ADHD with psychostimulant use, were linked to higher concussion risk.
- ADHD diagnosis correlated with prolonged symptom recovery, but psychostimulant use did not.
- ADHD diagnosis was associated with more symptoms, an effect reduced by psychostimulant use.
Conclusions:
- ADHD is associated with increased concussion risk and slower recovery.
- ADHD psychostimulant use may mitigate prolonged recovery and symptom burden post-concussion.
- Further research is warranted to explore the neuroprotective effects of psychostimulants in athletes with ADHD.
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