TDNet Discover

Concussions have become a hot topic in the media, but this life-changing injury is often overlooked in the adolescent population. As of now, there is no evidence-based approach to treating concussions in the adolescent population. The goal of this research was to identify significant cognitive performance deficits in adolescents following concussions. Overall, we strived to unravel our research question and implement a standardized protocol for patients experiencing concussions in this age range, as well as their parents and providers. The research within this systematic literature review utilizes several reliable databases, including Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Cochran Library. Within these databases, searches within the last 11 years focused around terms and phrases that included “concussion,” “post-concussion,” “long term effects,” “short term effects,” “adolescents,” “cognitive deficits,” “traumatic brain injury (TBI),” “symptoms” and “cognitive impairment.” Upon review against inclusion and exclusion criteria by three independent researchers, nine articles were selected for review. As far as quality assessment, the National Institute of Health Study Quality Assessment Tool was used. Four of the nine studies were ranked as the highest caliber and were given a rating of “good.” Based on smaller population sizes, the remaining five studies were rated as “fair.” Results of the nine sources were stratified based on cognitive deficits experienced by patients in the short-term, one week or less, and in the long-term, over one week. Some studies suggest that with the findings of long-term cognitive deficits found in concussed adolescents, this population may require greater restriction in terms of return to play. While there are more conclusive cognitive deficits found in the short-term, further research is needed to confirm long-term cognitive deficits. Exploration into screening, treatment and lasting risks is outlined in the results of this systematic literature review. Screening tools such as the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) and Post Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) were found to be beneficial in finding cognitive deficits in the absence of subjective symptoms. Treatment plans ranged from light cardio on treadmills to sensory stimuli and exertion avoidance until symptom resolution. The lasting risks of concussions in adolescents include susceptibility to post-concussive syndrome following the reception of additional concussions, as well as psychological and cognitive deficits that remain following cessation of physical symptoms. A conclusion was formulated to create a streamlined approach to concussions in the adolescent population. Due to findings consistent with significant cognitive deficits in adolescents following concussions, further research is necessary to enhance practitioners’ knowledge on how to properly screen and treat this delicate population. With the implementation of further research and changes to current medical practice, a hopeful positive outcome would be to drastically decrease cognitive deficits following concussions in adolescents and, therefore, reduce the burden these lasting deficits have on society as a whole.