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Preexisting neurodevelopmental, psychological, or mental health conditions and concussion history increase baseline concussion symptom burden and symptom reporting in UK university student-athletes.

Among 404 UK university student-athletes, those with preexisting NP/MH conditions reported higher overall symptom burden than those without. NP/MH diagnosis explained 12% of variance in symptom count and 16% in symptom severity, with previous concussion and depression/anxiety adding significant incremental variance. Student-athletes with both NP/MH and concussion history were more likely to report at least one symptom.

Last updated: Aug 14, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score34/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Variability in baseline concussion symptom burden and symptom reporting among UK student-athletes with neurodevelopmental, psychological, or mental health conditions.

observational

Clash R, Gooderick J · The Physician and sportsmedicine (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: Three university sports seasons
Intervention: No intervention; observational baseline screening using SCAT22 symptom checklist.
Outcome: Baseline concussion symptom count and severity (SCAT22 total severity score, range 0-132).
Effect Size: R2 = 0.12 for symptom count, R2 = 0.16 for symptom severity; chi-square = 9.96, p < .001
Population: 404 UK university student-athletes (188 male, 216 female) from 12 sports at University of Chichester.

Result:

PubMed: 42573599DOI: 10.1080/00913847.2026.2715348

Mechanism Graph

Preexisting NP/MH conditions (e.g., depression, anxiety, ADHD) may share overlapping symptoms with concussion (e.g., difficulty concentrating, fatigue, sleep problems).
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Concussion history may lead to persistent subclinical symptoms or altered symptom perception.
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Combined NP/MH and concussion history may amplify symptom reporting due to additive or interactive effects.
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Result: Higher baseline symptom burden and increased likelihood of reporting at least one symptom.

Limitations

  • ⚠Observational cross-sectional design; cannot establish causality.
  • ⚠Single university sample; may not generalize to all UK student-athletes.
  • ⚠Self-reported symptom data may be subject to recall or reporting bias.
  • ⚠No control for sport type or season timing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SCAT22 symptom checklist?▼

It is a 22-item symptom checklist used to assess concussion symptoms, with each item scored from 0 (none) to 6 (severe), yielding a total severity score from 0 to 132.

How much variance in symptom burden is explained by NP/MH conditions?▼

NP/MH conditions explained 12% of variance in symptom count and 16% in symptom severity, with previous concussion and depression/anxiety adding significant incremental variance.

Which symptoms were most frequently reported at baseline?▼

Difficulty concentrating, fatigue/low energy, and trouble sleeping were the most frequent baseline symptoms, with females reporting consistent prevalence.

Why is baseline symptom variability important for clinicians?▼

Because return-to-sport decisions often rely on baseline symptom scores, clinicians should account for preexisting NP/MH conditions and concussion history to avoid misinterpreting post-injury symptoms.

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References

  1. 1.Clash R, Gooderick J. "Variability in baseline concussion symptom burden and symptom reporting among UK student-athletes with neurodevelopmental, psychological, or mental health conditions.." The Physician and sportsmedicine, 2026. PMID: 42573599 DOI: 10.1080/00913847.2026.2715348
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.