The Relationship Between Pediatric Quality of Life and Post Concussion Symptoms

This will be presented at the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology.

Objective: To understand how symptoms impact the the pediatric patient’s day to day functioning during recovery. The tasks that students are exposed to in school deplete cognitive reserves, which further has consequences for learning, emotional functioning, symptom expression, and quality of life.

Methods: 280 participants with concussion, age 7 to 21, completed a packet that included the Post Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) and a self report measure, at their medical visit to a regional concussion clinic. A pencil and paper self rating instrument (Pediatric Life After Concussion Evaluation Scale) was developed to examine pediatric concussion patient’s self perceptions of their recovery. The Pediatric Life After Concussion Evaluation Scale (PLACES) consisted of 20 questions. The instrument took less than 15 minutes to complete.

Results: There was a strong positive relationship between total quality of life symptom load (PLACES Total) and total post concussion symptom load (PCSS) (r = .732, p2=.549, F(1,196)=238.43, p

Conclusions: Children and adolescents have important perspectives on their recovery from concussion. The impact of concussion affects multiple domains of function. In addition to post concussion symptoms, pediatric patients with concussion report concerns about their learning, emotions, and social interactions. Further, elevated post concussion symptom load is related to overall worse quality of life.