Eye-Tracking and Adolescent Interest in Alcohol Responsibility Messages: The Message Matters.

Objective: Through the use of eye-tracking technology, this study explores the efficacy of current alcohol responsibility messages viewed by adolescents and proposes the development of new alcohol warning message design.

Method: An adolescent sample ( = 121; 72 males) was shown 14 advertisements (4 alcohol, 10 non-alcohol) in randomized order featuring messages modified by type size, type contrast, and message content (a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial design).

Results: Results suggested that modifying message content to include direct language and a consequence enhances recall and attention to alcohol responsibility messages among adolescents.

Institutionally Based ImPACT Test® Normative Values May Differ from Manufacturer-Provided Normative Values.

Objective: The necessity for pre-injury baseline computerized neurocognitive assessments versus comparing post-concussion outcomes to manufacturer-provided normative data is unclear. Manufacturer-provided norms may not be equivalent to institution-specific norms, which poses risks for misclassifying the presence of impairment when comparing individual post-concussion performance to manufacturer-provided norms. The objective of this cohort study was to compare institutionally derived normative data to manufacturer-provided normative values provided by ImPACT® Applications, Incorporated.

Valid but Invalid: Suboptimal ImPACT Baseline Performance in University Athletes.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the frequency of valid yet suboptimal Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) performance in university athletes and to explore the benefit of subsequent ImPACT administrations.

Methods: This descriptive laboratory study involved baseline administration of ImPACT to 769 university athletes per the institution's concussion management protocol. Testing was proctored in groups of ≤2 participants.

A review of post-concussion syndrome and psychological factors associated with concussion.

Objective: This study reviewed several topics related to post-concussion syndrome and psychological factors associated with concussion. Topics include neurobiological perspectives, psychological predictors of post-concussion syndrome including pre-morbid anxiety, anxiety sensitivity and cognitive biases and misattribution. In addition, the iatrogenic effects of excessive rest are reviewed and treatment options are discussed briefly.

Psychiatric and neuropsychological issues in sports medicine.

This article reviews psychiatric/psychological issues in the athletic training room, including recognition of these issues and a framework for management. Because the majority of research has been conducted in college settings, most of the issues discussed are presented in the context of college sports, although the results generalize to other athletic arenas. Greater awareness of psychological issues, empirical research, and education about mental health issues in the sports medicine community are clearly needed.

The relationship between psychological distress and baseline sports-related concussion testing.

Objective: This study examined the effect of psychological distress on neurocognitive performance measured during baseline concussion testing.

Design: Archival data were utilized to examine correlations between personality testing and computerized baseline concussion testing. Significantly correlated personality measures were entered into linear regression analyses, predicting baseline concussion testing performance.

Psychiatric and neuropsychological issues in sport medicine.

This article reviews what is known about training room psychiatric/psychological issues and how to recognize them, and provides an initial framework for how to manage them. There is some focus on psychiatric issues involved in collegiate sports medicine environments, because the majority of research on this topic has been done with this population, but it is believed that this information generalizes to other athletic settings. Greater awareness of these problems, empirical research, and education about mental health issues in the sports medicine community is clearly needed.

Sex differences in outcome following sports-related concussion.

Object: Females comprise an increasing percentage of the athlete population across all age groups, and analysis of recent literature reveals that they sustain more concussions in collegiate sports. Results of human and animal studies indicate that females may have poorer outcomes after traumatic brain injury; however, no return-to-play guideline takes sex or other individual differences into account. In the present study the authors evaluated the influence of patient sex on objective neurocognitive performance and subjective reporting of symptoms following sports-related concussion.

Acceleration-Deceleration Sport-Related Concussion: The Gravity of It All.

OBJECTIVE: To discuss a newtonian physics model for understanding and calculating acceleration-deceleration forces found in sport-related cerebral concussions and to describe potential applications of this formula, including (1) an attempt to measure the forces applied to the brain during acceleration-deceleration injuries, (2) a method of accruing objective data regarding these forces, and (3) use of these data to predict functional outcome, such as neurocognitive status, recovery curves, and return to play. BACKGROUND: Mild concussion in sports has gained considerable attention in the last decade. Athletic trainers and team physicians have attempted to limit negative outcomes by gaining a better understanding of the mechanisms and severity of mild head injuries and by developing meaningful return-to-play criteria.

Symptom-based assessment of the severity of a concussion.

Object: Current grading systems of concussion and return-to-play guidelines have little empirical support. The authors therefore examined the relationships of the characteristics and symptoms of concussion and the history of concussion to three indicators of concussion severity-number of immediate symptoms, number of symptoms at the initial follow-up examination, and duration of symptoms--to establish an empirical basis for grading concussions.

Methods: Forty-seven athletes who sustained concussions were administered alternate forms of an Internet-based neurocognitive test until their performances were within normal limits relative to baseline levels.

Assessing cognitive dysfunction in breast cancer: what are the tools?

The goal of adjuvant chemotherapy in the treatment of breast cancer is to reduce recurrence and mortality. With respect to quality of life and morbidity, however, such treatments come at a cost. Decreased cognitive functioning, development of fatigue, and mood alterations are common during chemotherapy and persist after its conclusion as evidenced by subjective self-reports and objective neurocognitive performance records.