Jason R. Freeman

Development and validation of a web-based screening tool for monitoring cognitive status.

Objectives:We acquired normative data for an Internet neurocognitive screening tool, the Cognitive Stability Index (CSI), and investigated its validity both for initial assessment and for detecting significant change. Participants:Normative data on a nationally representative sample of 284 individuals aged 18 to 89. Validity data was obtained for outpatient groups of mild-to-moderate TBI, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (AD/HD), and Alzheimers disease. Results:The CSI subtests resolve to four factors: attention, processing speed, motor speed, and memory with acceptable psychometric properties. Patterns of scores obtained by three groups of patient-participants provided reasonable evidence of clinical validity for screening and monitoring change. Conclusions:An Internet-based system holds promise for applying complex statistical models for routine monitoring of cognitive function.

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

Abstract 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. Main results: Animal models of concussion and mild traumatic brain injury suggest that a concussion can result in anxiety and fear reactions. The pathophysiology of depression following a concussion appears to be consistent with the cortico-limbic model of depression. Additionally, some individuals may be at risk for neurobiological depression and/or anxiety following a concussion. The literature also demonstrates that pre-morbid and concurrent anxiety increases the risk for prolonged concussion recovery. Cognitive biases and misattribution of symptoms contribute to lengthy recovery from concussion. In addition, medically prescribed excessive cognitive and physical rest may contribute to a protracted concussion recovery. Supervised and graduated physical activity, the introduction of anxiety reduction techniques and cognitive-behavioural therapy of cognitive biases and misattribution are effective means of shortening the length of post-concussion syndrome. Conclusions: Understanding, assessing and treating the psychological factors associated with concussion are effective means of preventing or shortening the length of post-concussion syndrome.

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. Suicidal ideation was examined categorically. Setting: Athletes underwent testing and screening at a university athletic training facility. Participants: Participants included 47 collegiate football players 17 to 19 years old, the majority of whom were in their first year of college. Interventions: Participants were administered the Concussion Resolution Index (CRI), an internet-based neurocognitive test designed to monitor and manage both at-risk and concussed athletes. Participants took the Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI), a self-administered inventory designed to measure clinical syndromes, treatment considerations, and interpersonal style. Main Outcome Measures: Scales and subscales from the PAI were utilized to determine the influence psychological distress had on the CRI indices: simple reaction time, complex reaction time, and processing speed. Results: Analyses revealed several significant correlations among aspects of somatic concern, depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation and CRI performance, each with at least a moderate effect. When entered into a linear regression, the block of combined psychological symptoms accounted for a significant amount of baseline CRI performance, with moderate to large effects (r2 = 0.23-0.30). When examined categorically, participants with suicidal ideation showed significantly slower simple reaction time and complex reaction time, with a similar trend on processing speed. Conclusions: Given the possibility of obscured concussion deficits after injury, implications for premature return to play, and the need to target psychological distress outright, these findings heighten the clinical importance of screening for psychological distress during baseline and post-injury concussion evaluations.

Psychiatric and neuropsychological issues in sports 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.

Development of a personalized bidirectional text messaging tool for HIV adherence assessment and intervention among substance abusers

We describe the development of a two-way text messaging intervention tool for substance users who are non-adherent with HIV medications, and examine message flow data for feasibility and acceptability. The assessment and intervention tool, TxText, is fully automated, sending participants mood, substance use, and medication adherence queries by text message. Participants respond, the tool recognizes the category of response, and sends the personalized intervention message that participants designed in return. In 10months, the tool sent 16,547 messages (half initial, half follow-up) to 31 participants assigned to the TxText condition, who sent 6711 messages in response to the initial messages. Response rates to substance use (n=2370), medication (n=2918) and mood (n=4639) queries were 67, 69, and 64%, respectively. Responses indicating medication adherence, abstinence from substances, and good moods were more common than negative responses. The TxText tool can send messages daily over a 3month period, receive responses, and decode them to deliver personalized affirming or intervention messages. While we await the outcomes of a pilot randomized trial, the process analysis shows that TxText is acceptable and feasible for substance abusers with HIV, and may serve as a complement to HIV medical care.

Mild Head Injury

The pathology of mild head injury, its common behavioral sequelae, the nature of the recovery process, and the psychosocial consequences are reviewed. Acceleration-deceleration head trauma, causing brief unconsciousness, and leaving no frank neurological deficit, is associated in primates with axonal and terminal degenerative changes in brain stem nuclei. Although the presence of clinical demonstrable neurological abnormality increases the likelihood of subsequent deficits, their absence does not guarantee full recovery. Among mildly injured children, the relationships between persistent behavioral deficits and their age of onset correspond closely with those observed in children with overt damage, making it unlikely that psychological-behavioral deficits are attributable to non-neurological aspects of the injury. Deficits observed include distractability, irritability, headaches, inability to maintain a prior level of cognitive competence, and impulsivity. Although longer periods of unconsciousness are associated with permanent memory deficits, minimal unconsciousness is also followed by consistent deficits in complex memory tasks. Detailed neuropsychological testing of mildly injured children has revealed persisting deficits even after 5 years. Furthermore, deficits arising from repeated injuries are cumulative. The importance of adequate neuropsychological assessment and accurate information to the patient are stressed as important in helping satisfactory adjustment.

Computerized assessment of competence- related abilities in living liver donors: the Adult-to-Adult Living Donor Liver Transplantation Cohort Study

Despite its importance, determination of competence to consent to organ donation varies widely based on local standards. We piloted a new tool to aid transplant centers in donor assessment.

Valid but invalid: suboptimal impact© baseline performance in university athletes

Objective To investigate the frequency of valid yet suboptimal ImPACT© performance in college athletes. Design Descriptive. Setting Research Laboratory. Participants Division 1 University athletes (n=769) from 22 different sports. Intervention The Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) was administered to participants per the institution’s concussion management protocol at baseline in groups <2. Participants who scored <16th percentile compared to ImPACT normative data on any neurocognitive index (potentially suggesting suboptimal effort) were re-administered ImPACT up to two additional times. Outcome measures Descriptive analyses were used to examine validity indicators and individual Verbal and Visual Memory, Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time ImPACT composite scores in initial and subsequent administrations. Main results Based on ImPACT’s validity criteria, 1% (9/769) of administrations were invalid and 14.6% (112/769) had one or more composite scores <16th percentile but were considered valid. After one re-administration 71.4% (80/112) achieved scores >16th percentile and an additional 18/32 scored >16th percentile after a third administration. Conclusions Approximately 16% of ImPACT records were flagged as invalid or had one or more composite scores <16th percentile, potentially indicative of suboptimal performance. Upon readministration, 88% of those participants scored >16th percentile. Clinicians must be aware of suboptimal ImPACT performance as it limits the clinical utility of the baseline assessment. Further research is needed to address factors leading to “valid” but invalid baseline performance. Competing interests None.