Number of prior concussions predict poorer concussion care seeking in military cadets

ABSTRACT

Primary objective: To determine whether concussion history predicts concussion care seeking, self-management practices, or confidence to recognize/report.

Research design:Cross-sectional.

Methods & procedures: 706 United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) cadets completed survey items regarding concussion history (0,1,2,3+), likelihood of reporting a concussion, self-management, and confidence to recognize/report. We used multivariate ordinal and binary logistic regression models to predict responses using concussion history, sex, and race.

Main outcomes & results: cadets with 1 (OR = 0.59, 95%CI:0.43–0.82), 2 (OR = 0.55, 95%CI:0.31–0.98), or 3+ (OR = 0.36, 95%CI:0.17–0.78) concussions while at USAFA had respective 41%, 45%, and 64% lower likelihood to report the concussion scenario (ref = no history, p < .001). USAFA cadets with more extensive concussion histories had higher prevalence of not seeking care for a concussion (p < .001); more strongly endorsed self-management (p = .001–0.010); and had greater confidence in their ability to recognize a concussion (p = .005), but not to report (p = .198–0.413).

Conclusions: Prior concussion experiences may deter cadets from seeking medical care for future concussions. Interventions should address concussion history and clinicians should consider how the post-concussion management process might deter care seeking.

KEYWORDS:

• Concussion non-disclosure
• concussion reporting
• mild traumatic brain injury

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was partially supported by the National Collegiate Athletic Association-Department of Defense Research Grand Challenge: Changing Attitudes about Concussions in Young and Emerging Adults;