Post-concussion syndrome and the coping hypothesis

Neuropsychological functioning and level of subjective symptomatology was assessed in 15 adults at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months post-concussion. Performance by the concussion subjects was compared to the results obtained by a matched group of normal controls. At 2 weeks post-injury the concussion subjects had deficits in intellectual, attentional, memory, and language abilities. Visuospatial constructional abilities were relatively preserved. Concussed subjects also reported high levels of disturbance in affective, cognitive, and social functioning. By 3 months post-injury the concussed subjects were still displaying deficits in attentional and language functioning. The level of subjective symptoms reported by the concussed subjects was not significantly different from that reported by controls. Results provide some support for the 'coping hypothesis' explanation of post-concussion syndrome.