Open AccessACADEMIC CONCERNS, REQUESTED AND RECEIVED SUPPORT AMONG ADOLESCENTS IN THE FOUR WEEKS FOLLOWING CONCUSSION: A PILOT STUDY
Author(s) -
Traci R. Snedden,
Eric G. Post,
Christian Schmidt,
Alison Brooks
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
orthopaedic journal of sports medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.329
H-Index - 35
ISSN - 2325-9671
DOI - 10.1177/2325967120s00279
Subject(s) - concussion , medicine , guardian , longitudinal study , specialty , legal guardian , cognition , prospective cohort study , injury prevention , physical therapy , poison control , family medicine , psychiatry , emergency medicine , surgery , pathology , political science , law
Background: Even short-term cognitive challenges place adolescents at risk for successful achievement of academic success and attainment of career goals. Studies that have examined subjects receiving follow-up at a concussion or other specialty clinic have noted cognitive issues that cause learning problems upon return to the classroom. However, a gap exists specific to the types of academic concerns and needs for academic support using a prospective longitudinal design in a general sample.Purpose: The purpose of this pilot study was to describe the scope of academic concerns, requested and received academic support over time among adolescents in the four weeks following a concussion injury. Methods: Prospective longitudinal pilot study. Adolescents, aged 13-18 years, and their parent/legal guardian were enrolled within 7 days of concussion injury using a community-based design. Academic effects, requested and received support were assessed by electronic completion of the Concussion Learning Assessment and School Survey (CLASS) of both adolescent and their parent/legal guardian at 4 time points across 28 days, each one week apart.Results: Overall, 37 adolescents (51.4% female, mean age: 16.4±1.4 years) and their parent/legal guardian, provided sufficient data for analysis. A decrease in the frequency of academic concerns over time was noted across the 4 weeks following injury with 37.8% (n=14) reporting challenges in one or more of their classes in the first week after their concussion, compared to 10.8% (n=4) at 28 days. A decrease in requested supports was also noted, with 48.6% (n=18) requesting some form of academic support in the first week compared to 13.5% (n=5) at 28 days. Most commonly requested supports across all time points included extra time to complete work, reduced homework, reduced or waived makeup work, and a shortened school day. Received academic support was also greatest in the first week following concussion (40.5%, n=15) and declined to 16.2% (n=6) at 28 days. Grades were reported as worse since their concussion across all time points with 18.9% reporting this concern at 14 and 21 days.Conclusion: High rates of academic concerns and requested supports were reported in the first week following concussion. In addition, a consistent proportion of students reported a worsening of grades and continued to report academic concerns and needs for academic support four weeks after they sustained a concussion. These pilot findings support the need for greater attention to the academic effects of concussion and related support needs in the classroom for all students.[Table: see text][Table: see text]