Association between concussion-reporting intention and reporting behavior in a simulated game setting

Efforts to assess concussion-reporting efficacy face logistical challenges relying on behavioral intentions. Self-report surveys often lack correlation with actual behavior. Simulated in-game behavioral observation may offer a better evaluation method when data on actual behavior are not feasibly collected.

To examine the association between concussion-reporting intentions and concussion-reporting behavior in a novel simulated in-game experience.

This study was performed as a secondary analysis of a larger study that assessed the efficacy of concussion education in concussion-reporting intention among high school athletes. High school football players (n = 313) from seven Colorado high schools completed reporting intention questionnaires. Athletes were randomized to either receive standard concussion education from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (n = 167) or not (n = 146). Subsequently, all participants were given a baseline assessment in which they were asked to assess concussion-reporting intention. To test concussion-reporting behavior, all participants watched a novel first-person, 2-minute video in which a simulated concussion occurred. When the simulated concussion occurs, participants are then asked whether they would like to seek evaluation or continue playing. Logistic regression assessed the relationship between concussion-reporting intention and concussion-reporting behavior during the simulated game experience.

Athletes who reported their concussion in the simulated game had higher baseline concussion-reporting intention (U = 8669.5, p < .001). Across both the educated and noneducated groups, each one-point increase in baseline reporting intention was associated with 1.99× (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.11-3.60, p = .02) and 1.53× (95% CI: 1.07-2.30, p = .026) increased odds of reporting the simulated concussion, respectively.

Concussion-reporting behavior in a novel, first-person simulated in-game experience is higher among individuals with higher baseline concussion-reporting intention. This approach may offer promise for evaluating concussion-reporting intention and concussion-reporting behavior via interactive video simulation.