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A PILOT INVESTIGATION OF FEAR OF RE-INJURY IN HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETES WITH CONCUSSION

Abstract

Melissa N. Anderson Mallory McElroy, Morgan Anderson, Robert J. Elbin

University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR

BACKGROUND: The return to play process for sport-related concussion (SRC) may be a time of uncertainty for both the injured athlete and the sports medicine professional. Recent consensus statements have advocated for research on the emotional sequelae that is associated with SRC. However, changes in fear of re-injury throughout SRC recovery are understudied. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to provide a preliminary description of fear of re-injury in high school athletes with SRC and to compare changes in fear of re-injury throughout SRC recovery. METHODS: Two high school athletes with SRC completed a computerized neurocognitive assessment (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) and a battery of measures that assessed fear of re-injury, locus of control, and perceptions of recovery. All measures were completed 1-7 days following SRC. RESULTS: Fear of re-injury scores for these two athletes were 37 and 53. These scores reveal a moderate (e.g., Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK) score of 33-42) severe level (e.g., TSK score of 43 or above) of fear of re-injury. CONCLUSION: These pilot data demonstrate that some athletes experience fear of re-injury in the acute time period following SRC. These data warrant the continued investigation of fear of re-injury and also the future identification of predictors for fear of re-injury in high school athletes with SRC.

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