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Sicard V, Ledoux AA, Tang K, Yeates KO, Brooks BL, Anderson P, Keightley M, Desire N, Beauchamp MH, Zemek R. The association between symptom burden and processing speed and executive functioning at 4 and 12 weeks following pediatric concussion. J Int Neuropsychol Soc 2024; 30:533-545. [PMID: 38273645 DOI: 10.1017/s1355617724000043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Symptoms and cognition are both utilized as indicators of recovery following pediatric concussion, yet their interrelationship is not well understood. This study aimed to investigate: 1) the association of post-concussion symptom burden and cognitive outcomes (processing speed and executive functioning [EF]) at 4 and 12 weeks after pediatric concussion, and 2) the moderating effect of sex on this association. METHODS This prospective, multicenter cohort study included participants aged 5.00-17.99 years with acute concussion presenting to four Emergency Departments of the Pediatric Emergency Research Canada network. Five processing speed and EF tasks and the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI; symptom burden, defined as the difference between post-injury and retrospective [pre-injury] scores) were administered at 4 and 12 weeks post-concussion. Generalized least squares models were conducted with task performances as dependent variables and PCSI and PCSI*sex interaction as the main predictors, with important pre-injury demographic and injury characteristics as covariates. RESULTS 311 children (65.0% males; median age = 11.92 [IQR = 9.14-14.21 years]) were included in the analysis. After adjusting for covariates, higher symptom burden was associated with lower Backward Digit Span (χ2 = 9.85, p = .043) and Verbal Fluency scores (χ2 = 10.48, p = .033) across time points; these associations were not moderated by sex, ps ≥ .20. Symptom burden was not associated with performance on the Coding, Continuous Performance Test, and Color-Word Interference scores, ps ≥ .17. CONCLUSIONS Higher symptom burden is associated with lower working memory and cognitive flexibility following pediatric concussion, yet these associations were not moderated by sex. Findings may inform concussion management by emphasizing the importance of multifaceted assessments of EF.
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Affiliation(s)
- Veronik Sicard
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Andrée-Anne Ledoux
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Ken Tang
- Independent Statistical Consultant, Richmond, BC, Canada
| | - Keith Owen Yeates
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Brian L Brooks
- Department of Psychology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Neurosciences Program, Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, AB, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Peter Anderson
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Mental Health Neuropsychology Program, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Michelle Keightley
- Bloorview Research Institute, Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, TorontoON, Canada
- Departments of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy and Rehabilitation Sciences Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Naddley Desire
- Department of Psychology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Miriam H Beauchamp
- Department of Psychology, University of Montreal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Ste-Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Roger Zemek
- Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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