Public Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy Knowledge: Sources, Accuracy and Confidence.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Sports Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with repetitive head impacts.
• Understanding public knowledge and confidence regarding CTE is crucial for informed decision-making, especially concerning youth participation in contact sports.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the general public's accuracy and confidence in their knowledge of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE).
• To identify the primary sources of CTE information utilized by the public.
• To investigate the relationship between CTE knowledge, confidence, and parental comfort levels regarding children participating in high-contact sports.

Main Methods:

• An online survey was administered to 529 participants.
• Data collected included accuracy of CTE knowledge, confidence in that knowledge, information sources used, and comfort levels with children in contact sports.

Main Results:

• Overall CTE knowledge accuracy was 48.02%, with significant inaccuracies concerning etiology and diagnosis.
• Knowledge confidence was positively correlated with comfort in allowing children to play high-contact sports (r = 0.199, P ≤ 0.001).
• Television/movies, websites, and social media were the most frequently used sources for CTE information.

Conclusions:

• There is a significant gap in public understanding of CTE, particularly regarding its causes and diagnosis.
• Addressing public misconceptions about CTE is essential for clinicians and researchers.
• Public confidence in CTE knowledge, despite inaccuracies, impacts decisions about youth participation in contact sports.