Athletes with comorbid depression and anxiety and no recent concussion report more post-concussion symptoms than “healthy mood” athletes who are two weeks post-concussion

By Esmeralda Garcia-Ramirez. This article was initially published in the 1/11/24 edition of our Concussion Update newsletter; please consider subscribing.

A study conducted by Thomas G.A. et al. and published in Translational Issues in Psychological Science compared 119 athletes, separating them into two groups based on their baseline mood disturbance and injury status. Both groups completed a baseline comprehensive neuropsychological battery and a Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) assessment. The group of athletes who were found to have combined (comorbid) depression and anxiety but who did not sustain a concussion were compared with athletes who had a baseline “healthy mood” but had recently sustained a concussion. The concussed athletes were reassessed two weeks post-concussion.  

The scientists found that the athletes with baseline comorbid depression and anxiety reported more symptoms on the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale, without having a recent concussion than the post-concussion athletes who had a healthy mood at baseline. There were no significant differences in the neurocognitive assessment results between the two groups, a potential indicator of mood disturbances affecting cognition. Results like these can cause problems, especially for athletes, who may be withheld from returning to play longer than may be necessary based on assuming that their problems are from the concussion. 

 So, how do we tell the difference between a concussion and underlying mental health conditions? An article by Medical Express interviewed Peter Arnett and Garrett Thomas, who conducted the study mentioned above and agreed that it is essential to conduct baseline testing from day one. Thomas says that being aware of someone’s mental health conditions, in the beginning, can help make “accurate comparisons after the person suffers a concussion” and begin improving one’s mental health and concussion.