The Effect of Anxiety on Baseline Neuropsychological Assesments in Adolescent Females

Document Type

Presentation

Presentation Date

2-16-2018

Abstract or Description

Anxiety which is commonly divided into two components: trait and state occurs in approximately 15-20% of adolescent females and can significantly affect performance on cognitive tasks. Cognitive deficits in attention, memory, information processing, concentration and reaction time are common following concussion and the potential link between anxiety and baseline testing should be examined. PURPOSE: Examine the effects of state and trait anxiety on ImPACT in adolescent females. METHODS: 35 adolescent female athletes were administered ImPACT, and the State Trait Anxiety Inventory during baseline testing. Participants were split into groups, based on trait (low n=18, high n=17) and state (low n=26, high n=9) levels. One-way ANOVAs were calculated with a Bonferroni correction (p<.008) to examine group differences. RESULTS: Significant differences were found between state groups for total symptom score (F(1, 33) = 9.01, p= .005), where those with high state anxiety exhibited more symptoms. While differences in trait groups included total symptom score (F(1, 33) = 9.58, p= .004), and visual motor composite (F(1, 33) = 10.11, p= .003), where athletes with high trait anxiety had more symptoms and lower visual motor speed. CONCLUSION: Although, much of the literature focuses on state anxiety, these findings provides initial support for trait anxiety effecting commonly used concussion assessment tools. Screening for anxiety may benefit clinician’s ability to monitor injury recovery and manage concussion in female athletes.

Sponsorship/Conference/Institution

Southeast Chapter of the American College of Sports Medicine Annual Meeting (SEACSM)

Location

Chatanooga, TN

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