Neurocognitive Test Scores on Athletes Diagnosed with ADHD and Their Return to Play Following Sport Related Concussion: A Systematic Review
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Context: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sport related concussion (SRC) share many of the same symptoms which can be exacerbated when the two are combined together. There are currently no clinical guidelines in the treatment for concussed ADHD athletes. Current research has analyzed the comparison of neurocognitive test scores between ADHD and non-ADHD athletes. The objective of this review was to determine whether neurocognitive test scores can be used in the development of clinical guidelines when recovering from a SRC in an ADHD athletic population.
Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed and SPORTDiscus was performed. Studies used were conducted up through October 31st, 2018. Studies were selected that examined neurocognitive test scores between ADHD and non-ADHD athletes. Keywords included concussion and ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; concussion and learning disorder; mTBI and ADHD; Sport related concussion (SRC); Post concussive symptoms; Return to play (RTP) and ADHD.
Results: A total of 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 1,080 ADHD subjects and 5,712 non-ADHD subjects were included in this review. It was found that athletes with ADHD demonstrated lower neurocognitive test scores using the ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment Cognitive Test) when compared to non-ADHD athletes in all test categories at both baseline and post-injury. One study showed that ADHD athletes had an increased recovery time of an average of 3 days when compared to non-ADHD athletes (16.5 days to 13.5 days, respectively) in return to baseline neurocognitive test scores.
Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that ADHD subjects take longer to recover and demonstrate lower neurocognitive test scores both at baseline and post-injury. Normative values for neurocognitive test scores must be established for an ADHD population to better understand the impact of ADHD on post-concussion symptoms. The preliminary findings indicate that much yet has to be discovered in order to develop clinical guidelines for clinicians to follow with the diagnosis, rehabilitation, and return to play for ADHD athletes diagnosed with concussion.
Mentor Name
Valerie Moody
Neurocognitive Test Scores on Athletes Diagnosed with ADHD and Their Return to Play Following Sport Related Concussion: A Systematic Review
UC North Ballroom
Context: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and sport related concussion (SRC) share many of the same symptoms which can be exacerbated when the two are combined together. There are currently no clinical guidelines in the treatment for concussed ADHD athletes. Current research has analyzed the comparison of neurocognitive test scores between ADHD and non-ADHD athletes. The objective of this review was to determine whether neurocognitive test scores can be used in the development of clinical guidelines when recovering from a SRC in an ADHD athletic population.
Methods: A comprehensive search of PubMed and SPORTDiscus was performed. Studies used were conducted up through October 31st, 2018. Studies were selected that examined neurocognitive test scores between ADHD and non-ADHD athletes. Keywords included concussion and ADHD or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder; concussion and learning disorder; mTBI and ADHD; Sport related concussion (SRC); Post concussive symptoms; Return to play (RTP) and ADHD.
Results: A total of 8 studies met the inclusion criteria. A total of 1,080 ADHD subjects and 5,712 non-ADHD subjects were included in this review. It was found that athletes with ADHD demonstrated lower neurocognitive test scores using the ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment Cognitive Test) when compared to non-ADHD athletes in all test categories at both baseline and post-injury. One study showed that ADHD athletes had an increased recovery time of an average of 3 days when compared to non-ADHD athletes (16.5 days to 13.5 days, respectively) in return to baseline neurocognitive test scores.
Conclusion: This systematic review suggests that ADHD subjects take longer to recover and demonstrate lower neurocognitive test scores both at baseline and post-injury. Normative values for neurocognitive test scores must be established for an ADHD population to better understand the impact of ADHD on post-concussion symptoms. The preliminary findings indicate that much yet has to be discovered in order to develop clinical guidelines for clinicians to follow with the diagnosis, rehabilitation, and return to play for ADHD athletes diagnosed with concussion.