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Month: October 2013
Should we manage male and female concussions differently? Is it that simple?
Posted 6 October 2013 by prehab
It is no new information that male and female brains are different. There is plenty of evidence in the literature identifying those differences in male and female brains. It is also fact that there are differences in their rate of injury and rate of recovery, so why don’t we treat them differently? Here is a review to recent articles and studies reviewed by Dr. Esopenko shedding some light to the controversial subject.
Reed bellow and feel free to participate in the discussion. Click on the bubble or scroll down. I moderate for inappropriate content.
Males and Females brains are different, so why are we not managing their concussions differently?
Carrie Esopenko, PhD
A key aspect of concussion management is the proper assessment and treatment of the injury. We have long known that there are sex-specific differences in brain development and function, and we now know that there are sex-specific differences in how the brain responds to injury. This means that males and females are affected differently by concussion exposure and experience. In their review, Covassin and colleagues (2013) discuss a number of studies highlighting the differences in concussion prevalence (or number) and reported symptoms in male and female athletes. For example, female athletes report a greater number postconcussion symptoms (e.g., concentration problems, fatigue) and these symptoms tend to take longer to resolve as compared to male athletes (Broshek et al., 2005; Covassin et al., 2012). Studies have also shown that male and female athletes perform differently on cognitive tests following concussion (see Covassin et al., 2013 for a review). For instance, female athletes tend to demonstrate more difficulties on tasks assessing visual memory and reaction time following a concussion as compared to male athletes (Broshek et al., 2005; Covassin et al., 2012; 2013; Colvin et al., 2009), although it should be noted that some follow-up studies have failed to replicate these sex-specific differences (see Zuckerman et al., 2012). It is thought that the functional differences between male and female athletes following concussion could be due to sex hormones, neuroanatomy, and blood flow in the brain (see Covassin et al., 2013 for a review). Given these noted differences, it makes sense to develop concussion management strategies that are sex-specific. However, because of the lack in understanding and research into differences in reported symptoms, functional abilities, and recovery for males and females following concussion, concussion management techniques are not currently tailored to the male and female brain. As concussion management specialists, we should be developing assessment and rehabilitation strategies that are tailored to issues specific to males and females. If we are able to accomplish this, I predict that this would lead to more sensitive assessment techniques for males and females, as well as better management of these injuries.
See full study by Covassin and colleagues for a review of sex-differences in the concussion management for male and female athletes:
Other interesting studies on sex differences and concussion outcomes:
Broshek DK, et al. (2005). Sex differences in outcome following sports related concussion. J Neurosurgery, 102(5), 856–63.
Covassin, T., Elbin, R. J,, Harris, W., Parker, T., & Kontos A. (2012). The role of age and sex in symptoms, neurocognitive performance, and postural stability in athletes after concussion. Am J Sports Med,40(6), 1303-12.
The North Park Hockey League teams up with Concussion Management of NY
Posted 3 October 2013 by prehab
The North Park Hockey League feels it is vital to do what is best for the athletes and at this time is recommending concussion baseline testing before each season. With the recent focus on the negative effects of concussions on the long-term health of athletes, especially of those athletes in the most physical contact sports like hockey, they felt if was time to team up with a company that delivers the most reliable test procedure. The North Park Hockey League is one step up relying on brain injury experts with no ties to one test but what is best for each individual from baseline testing, clinical assessments and management at Concussion Management of New York.