Open AccessThe auditory comprehension changes over time after sport‐related concussion can indicate multisensory processing dysfunctions
Author(s) -
Białuńska Anita,
Salvatore Anthony P.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
brain and behavior
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 41
ISSN - 2162-3279
DOI - 10.1002/brb3.874
Subject(s) - concussion , athletes , comprehension , audiology , psychology , medicine , post concussion syndrome , poison control , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , injury prevention , linguistics , philosophy , environmental health
Background Although science findings and treatment approaches of a concussion have changed in recent years, there continue to be challenges in understanding the nature of the post‐concussion behavior. There is growing a body of evidence that some deficits can be related to an impaired auditory processing. Purpose To assess auditory comprehension changes over time following sport‐related concussion ( SRC ) in young athletes. Methods A prospective, repeated measures mixed‐design was used. A sample of concussed athletes ( n = 137) and the control group consisted of age‐matched, non‐concussed athletes ( n = 143) were administered Subtest VIII of the Computerized‐Revised Token Test (C‐ RTT ). The 88 concussed athletes selected for final analysis (neither previous history of brain injury, neurological, psychiatric problems, nor auditory deficits) were evaluated after injury during three sessions ( PC 1, PC 2, and PC 3); controls were tested once. Between‐ and within‐group comparisons using RMANOVA were performed on the C‐ RTT Efficiency Score ( ES ). Results ES of the SRC athletes group improved over consecutive testing sessions ( F = 14.7, p < .001), while post‐hoc analysis showed that PC 1 results differed from PC 2 and PC 3 ( ts ≥ 4.0, ps < .001), but PC 2 and PC 3 C‐ RTT ES did not change statistically ( t = 0.6, p = .557). The SRC athletes demonstrated lower ES for all test session when compared to the control group ( ts > 2.0, Ps <.01). Conclusion Dysfunctional auditory comprehension performance following a concussion improved over time, but after the second testing session improved performance slowed, especially in terms of its timing. Yet, not only auditory processing but also sensorimotor integration and/or motor execution can be compromised after a concussion.