A study found that engaging in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during post-concussion recovery can reduce anxiety levels in teens and have other beneficial effects.

A study published in JAMA Network Open challenges the existing idea that early childhood concussion may have relatively benign effects and highlights that postconcussive symptoms can be relatively long-lasting.

In a study published in Sports Health, Master et al. found that the existence of pre-injury mental health diagnoses correlated with longer concussion recovery time and increased emotional symptoms.

A study published in Biological Psychiatry

found that concussions may alter the trajectory of white matter maturation in female children and that this alteration may play a role in the onset of new depression and anxiety after concussion. 

Findings from a recent study in Nature Mental Health exploring the gut-brain-microbiota axis revealed that those who adhered to a Mediterranean diet experienced reduced PTSD symptoms,

The Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics published a study that found a significant correlation between children who sustain mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs/concussions) and risk of developing affective disorders (anxiety, depression, OCD, or adjustment disorders) and behavioral disorders (ADHD or Conduct Disorder) within four years post-injury.

According to a news release by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, women are significantly more likely to experience depression following a concussion or other traumatic brain injury (TBI) when compared to men.

An article highlighted the effectiveness and significant benefits of physical activity when utilized as an intervention for a range of mental health issues, specifically in managing symptoms of depression, anxiety, and psychological distress in adults.

Scientists have found that 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.

A study conducted by Jacob Kay et al. found that male and female teenagers who reported a history of concussion in the last year were at greater risk of suicidal ideation, planning, and attempts than those who had not sustained a concussion in the previous year.

Research published in Nature Medicine by Mitchell and colleagues found that MDMA-assisted manualized inner-directed therapy (MDMA-AT) is a more effective treatment than manualized inner-directed therapy alone for improving moderate to severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

A recent study in the Journal of Athletic Training explored the role of mental health in predicting lower extremity musculoskeletal injuries (LE MSK) after sports-related concussions in NCAA student-athletes. Previous research has found that the rate of LE MSK is elevated post-concussion, although the cause of this increased rate is unknown. In addition, poorer mental health is common post-concussion.

In this New York Times article, Christina Caron discusses one of the most effective therapy treatments: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). However, it’s not only used in clinical psychology––but also to treat a common experience: insomnia. Most people have experienced insomnia at one point in their life or another. However, for some, insomnia is a constant in their lives; one in 10 adults has chronic insomnia, and it is a common symptom after a concussion.

U.S. high school students self-reporting ≥2 concussions were significantly more likely to report suicidal attempts, according to study.

Service members and veterans with a history of mild traumatic brain injury (including concussion) and struggling with symptoms of depression may want to participate in a clinical trial of a cognitive behavioral app designed specifically for the military community.

A study published in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine found that self-reported preexisting mental health conditions were associated with a higher number and severity of concussion-related symptoms as identified in an initial Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-5th Edition concussion assessment.

A New York Times article discusses "Medical Gaslighting”, a term used to describe situations where patients are frustrated after “dismissive experiences with medical professionals.” The author notes a 2020 study finding that women receive less medical care following traumatic brain injury (TBI).

A study found that “youth who experienced a concussion were more likely to develop mental health issues, self-harm, or psychiatric hospitalization than peers who had an orthopedic injury.” We include information and tips for parents.

A study found that patients’ expectations of their recovery duration had a larger impact on their mental health than their actual reported symptoms, number of concussions, or history of mental health concerns.

Impact: Women Writing After Concussion is an anthology containing the stories of 21 women writers reflecting on how their personal and professional lives have changed following experience with concussion.