Parents’ Ability to Identify Concussion Symptoms in Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review
Presentation Type
Poster Presentation
Abstract/Artist Statement
Purpose: Parents’ of youth athletes often receive very little to no education about sports related concussion (SRC). Due to the lack of education, often times parents are unable to identify concussion related symptoms and do not understand what to do if they suspect a concussion. Determining gaps in parent education on SRC will help us to develop recommendations about methods of delivery of parent education as well as content to include in education which will enhance youth sports safety. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine youth athlete’s parents’ understanding of SRC as well as their ability to identify SRC symptoms. Methods: Two databases, PubMed and SportDiscus, were searched through October 2018 using eight key phrases: youth concussions, parent concussion education, concussion education, concussion programming, concussion policy, concussion identification, concussion management, and parent concussion training. The literature search produced 7382 articles. Duplicates were removed, and 5095 articles remained for review. Articles were screened examining titles, abstracts and full text resulting in 6 articles being included for qualitative synthesis. Specifically, articles reviewed addressed parent’s general knowledge of SRC and ability to identify SRC symptoms. Results: Studies indicated that youth athlete parents are generally aware that a concussion can occur without loss of consciousness (85%), and that their child should not return to play (RTP) on the same day a concussion is sustained (76.5%). Parents are significantly better at identifying physical symptoms of a concussion: such as headache (89.1%), dizziness (95.4%), nausea (85.2%), and vision problems (94.6%) whereas they struggle to identify emotional symptoms (80.6%) and some cognitive symptoms. Conclusion: Parents have decent handle on general knowledge of SRC, as well as being able to identify concussions symptoms. Where parents are lacking knowledge is knowing what to do after their child has sustained a SRC. Parents need to be educated on how to effectively care for their child after a SRC, when and how to seek medical attention and when it is safe their child to RTP. Future research needs to focus on exploring avenues for educating youth parents on SRC, particularly how to care for their child once they have recognized SRC symptoms in their child. As well as educating parents on RTP, specifically when it is safe for their child to RTP.
Mentor Name
Valerie Moody
Parents’ Ability to Identify Concussion Symptoms in Youth Athletes: A Systematic Review
UC North Ballroom
Purpose: Parents’ of youth athletes often receive very little to no education about sports related concussion (SRC). Due to the lack of education, often times parents are unable to identify concussion related symptoms and do not understand what to do if they suspect a concussion. Determining gaps in parent education on SRC will help us to develop recommendations about methods of delivery of parent education as well as content to include in education which will enhance youth sports safety. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine youth athlete’s parents’ understanding of SRC as well as their ability to identify SRC symptoms. Methods: Two databases, PubMed and SportDiscus, were searched through October 2018 using eight key phrases: youth concussions, parent concussion education, concussion education, concussion programming, concussion policy, concussion identification, concussion management, and parent concussion training. The literature search produced 7382 articles. Duplicates were removed, and 5095 articles remained for review. Articles were screened examining titles, abstracts and full text resulting in 6 articles being included for qualitative synthesis. Specifically, articles reviewed addressed parent’s general knowledge of SRC and ability to identify SRC symptoms. Results: Studies indicated that youth athlete parents are generally aware that a concussion can occur without loss of consciousness (85%), and that their child should not return to play (RTP) on the same day a concussion is sustained (76.5%). Parents are significantly better at identifying physical symptoms of a concussion: such as headache (89.1%), dizziness (95.4%), nausea (85.2%), and vision problems (94.6%) whereas they struggle to identify emotional symptoms (80.6%) and some cognitive symptoms. Conclusion: Parents have decent handle on general knowledge of SRC, as well as being able to identify concussions symptoms. Where parents are lacking knowledge is knowing what to do after their child has sustained a SRC. Parents need to be educated on how to effectively care for their child after a SRC, when and how to seek medical attention and when it is safe their child to RTP. Future research needs to focus on exploring avenues for educating youth parents on SRC, particularly how to care for their child once they have recognized SRC symptoms in their child. As well as educating parents on RTP, specifically when it is safe for their child to RTP.