Publications by authors named "Holly J Benjamin"

Background: Mental health disorders are linked to prolonged concussion symptoms. However, the association of premorbid anxiety/depression symptoms with postconcussion return-to-play timelines and total symptom burden is unclear.

Objective: To examine the association of self-reported premorbid anxiety/depression symptoms in collegiate student-athletes with (1) recovery times until asymptomatic, (2) return-to-play, and (3) postconcussion symptom burden.

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Background: Neck pain in a concussion population is an emerging area of study that has been shown to have a negative influence on recovery. This effect has not yet been studied in collegiate athletes.

Hypothesis: New or worsened neck pain is common after a concussion (>30%), negatively influences recovery, and is associated with patient sex and level of contact in sport.

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Background: Few previous studies have investigated how different injury mechanisms leading to sport-related concussion (SRC) in soccer may affect outcomes.

Purpose: To describe injury mechanisms and evaluate injury mechanisms as predictors of symptom severity, return to play (RTP) initiation, and unrestricted RTP (URTP) in a cohort of collegiate soccer players.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

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Background: Severe COVID-19 infection is known to alter myocardial perfusion through its effects on the endothelium and microvasculature. However, the majority of patients with COVID-19 infection experience only mild symptoms, and it is unknown if their myocardial perfusion is altered after infection.

Objectives: The authors aimed to determine if there are abnormalities in myocardial blood flow (MBF), as measured by stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), in individuals after a mild COVID-19 infection.

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Context: The ongoing opioid epidemic and associated adverse effects impart a large burden on our current healthcare system. The annual economic and noneconomic cost of opioid use disorder and fatal opioid overdose is currently estimated at $1 trillion.

Objective: This review presents the prevalence, frequency of use, need, and effectiveness of opioid analgesia in the youth and adolescent athlete population.

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Infectious mononucleosis (IM) is a common illness in children and young adults caused primarily by the Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV). Transmission occurs primarily through sharing oral secretions, thus IM is known as the "kissing disease." Common clinical manifestations include fever, pharyngitis, posterior cervical lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly.

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Article Synopsis
  • - Sleep is crucial for the cognitive and physical performance of teenage athletes (ages 13-19), who are at a heightened risk for sleep disorders and their detrimental effects on overall health and sports performance.
  • - A review of existing literature identified that optimizing sleep patterns can enhance performance and well-being, but more research is needed to fully understand the impact of sleep on young athletes.
  • - Recommendations for young athletes include aiming for 8 to 9 hours of sleep per night, ensuring 25% of that time is deep sleep, and minimizing screen time before bed, with additional tips for managing jet lag while traveling.
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Objective: To examine the association between estimated age at first exposure (eAFE) to American football and clinical measures throughout recovery following concussion.

Methods: Participants were recruited across 30 colleges and universities as part of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)-Department of Defense Concussion Assessment, Research and Education Consortium. There were 294 NCAA American football players (age 19 ± 1 years) evaluated 24-48 hours following concussion with valid baseline data and 327 (age 19 ± 1 years) evaluated at the time they were asymptomatic with valid baseline data.

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Background: Organizations recommend that athletes should be asymptomatic or symptom-limited before initiating a graduated return-to-play (GRTP) protocol after sports-related concussion, although asymptomatic or symptom-limited is not well-defined.

Hypotheses: (1) There will be a range (ie, beyond zero as indicator of "symptom-free") in symptom severity endorsement when athletes are deemed ready to initiate a GRTP protocol. (2) Baseline symptom severity scores and demographic/preinjury medical history factors influence symptom severity scores at the commencement of the GRTP protocol.

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Sleep is an important determinant of collegiate athlete health, well-being and performance. However, collegiate athlete social and physical environments are often not conducive to obtaining restorative sleep. Traditionally, sleep has not been a primary focus of collegiate athletic training and is neglected due to competing academic, athletic and social demands.

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Background: Every year, millions of children in the United States participate in youth full-contact sports, which carry concussion risks-the long-term sequelae of which are not well understood. We examined the attitudes and knowledge of adults in Chicago about youth sports participation, concussion risk, and whether physicians should counsel against youth participation in full-contact sports.

Methods: An anonymous paper survey featuring 13 attitudinal, 13 demographic, and 9 knowledge questions was distributed to a convenience sample of adults ≥18 years in hospital waiting areas and four Chicago parks.

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Background: A student-athlete's mental state, including history of trait anxiety and depression, or current psychological state may affect baseline concussion assessment performance.

Purpose: (1) To determine if mental illness (anxiety, depression, anxiety with depression) influences baseline scores, (2) to determine if psychological state correlates with baseline performance, and (3) to determine if history of concussion affects Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) subscores of state anxiety, depression, and somatization.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3.

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Injury rates among gymnasts are among the highest of any sport at the high school and collegiate level per athletic exposure. The wrist has increased injury risk due to repetitive physical stresses predisposing it to acute injury, overuse, and degenerative damage. This article will review the most common overuse wrist injuries seen in gymnasts.

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Objective: To examine attitudes and practices of pediatricians toward sports-related head trauma and youth participation in tackle football and ice hockey.

Study Design: A respondent-anonymous electronic survey was distributed 3 times to members of the American Academy of Pediatrics Section of Bioethics, Council on Injury, Violence, and Poison Prevention, and Council on Sports Medicine and Fitness.

Results: Of 791 eligible pediatricians, 227 (29%) responded.

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While the preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE) is widely accepted, its usage and content are not standardized. Implementation is affected by cost, access, level of participation, participant age/sex, and local/regional/national mandate. PPE screening costs are generally borne by the athlete, family, or club.

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: While the preparticipation physical evaluation (PPE) is widely accepted, its usage and content are not standardized. Implementation is affected by cost, access, level of participation, participant age/sex, and local/regional/national mandate. Preparticipation physical evaluation screening costs are generally borne by the athlete, family, or club.

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Objective: To describe the attitudes of members of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) toward the new National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) policy to require all Division I student athletes be screened for sickle cell trait (SCT), have prior evidence of testing, or sign a waiver.

Design: Cross-sectional survey of members of the AMSSM electronic mailing list was conducted. Descriptive, McNemar, and χ2 statistics were performed.

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Children and adolescents who have hypertension may be at risk for complications when exercise causes their blood pressure to rise even higher. The purpose of this statement is to update recommendations concerning the athletic participation of individuals with hypertension, including special populations such as those with spinal cord injuries or obesity, by using the guidelines from "The 36th Bethesda Conference: Eligibility Recommendations for Competitive Athletes with Cardiovascular Abnormalities"; "The Fourth Report on the Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure in Children and Adolescents"; and "The Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure."

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Management of a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions requires the use of a cast or splint. Splints are noncircumferential immobilizers that accommodate swelling. This quality makes splints ideal for the management of a variety of acute musculoskeletal conditions in which swelling is anticipated, such as acute fractures or sprains, or for initial stabilization of reduced, displaced, or unstable fractures before orthopedic intervention.

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The ability to properly apply casts and splints is a technical skill easily mastered with practice and an understanding of basic principles. The initial approach to casting and splinting requires a thorough assessment of the injured extremity for proper diagnosis. Once the need for immobilization is ascertained, casting and splinting start with application of stockinette, followed by padding.

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