Psychological impact of cognitive rest following sport-related concussion on low socioeconomic status adolescent patients

PURPOSE: Describe the psychological impact of cognitive rest in adolescents recovering from concussion from sportrelated concussion. METHODS: Eight male football players with a previous sport concussion and full recovery completed semi-structured interviews during focus group sessions. Using content analysis, the researchers independently analyzed notes and transcriptions to identify themes associated with the psychological impact of cognitive rest. RESULTS: Common themes included: 1) sport as social support, and 2) boredom-complicated recovery following cognitive rest. CONCLUSIONS: The current treatment protocol indicating cognitive rest and removal from school and sport may be detrimental in a population that is peer-dependent. Future research should explore generalizability and additional factors that may complicate psychological recovery of adolescent athletes following concussive injuries.