Effect of gender on post-pandemic prevalence of concussion, and in the management of concussion

Summary

Project ID: 2022-997 / TRIM 2024 0970 358 000

Principle Investigator: Carmela Tartaglia

Description: COVID-19 epidemic has had a significant effect on activities performed and mental health. Since concussions are related to the types of activities performed and many activities like sports and work, were interrupted by the pandemic, the project team expected a change in frequency of concussions. As well, it has been reported that intimate partner violence (IPV), has risen dramatically during the pandemic. Since gender is known to affect risk of concussion and persisting symptoms, the first goal is to determine the role of gender in the prevalence of concussion and post-concussion symptoms by comparing pre-pandemic and pandemic rates. Additionally, it has been shown that concussed women need more days to completely recover and return to their daily activities compared to men. In a sport-related concussion study, female athletes reported more symptoms of fatigue, dizziness, concentration problems, and lightheadedness than male concussed athletes. It is, however, not known whether management of symptoms differs and contributes to prolonged post-concussion symptoms. Considering the gender disparities in symptoms and recovery following concussions, we aim to understand whether differences in management of post-concussion symptoms vary between the genders. The second goal of our study is to explore the role of gender on the management of concussion.

PIA approved: July 7, 2023

Status: In progress