Abstract
In the management of sports-related concussion, little is known about the effect of
wearing or not wearing a helmet (i. e., helmet status) on the acute outcomes of concussed
athletes. We endeavored to assess acute neurocognitive and symptom changes after SRC
in helmeted vs. unhelmeted athletes. In a retrospective study, 1 025 athletes from
2 regional databases sustained a SRC. Athletes were matched by age, gender, number
of prior concussions, and days to post-concussion test, yielding a final cohort of
138 athletes. For each group of 69, differences in post-concussion neurocognitive
and symptom scores were compared using group mean differences as well as reliable
change index (RCI) scores set at the 80% confidence interval. With gender, prior concussions,
and days to post-concussion test similar in each group, using group mean change scores
and RCI methodology, we found no significant differences between the helmeted and
unhelmeted groups in 4 neurocognitive tests and one total symptom score. In a cohort
of carefully matched athletes from 2 regional concussion centers, helmet status was
unrelated to neurocognitive scores and total symptoms in athletes after suffering
a SRC. These findings suggest that acute outcomes in helmeted vs. unhelmeted sports
are quite similar.
Key words
concussion - sports - helmet - unhelmeted - protective headgear - mild traumatic brain
injury - imPACT
