A - 39 Self-Reported Behavioral Regulation and Post-Concussion Symptom Burden

Examine the effects of self-reported behavioral regulation adherence levels on post-concussion symptom burden in individuals with sport-related concussion (SRC). A retrospective chart review of patients (ages 15-25 yrs) seeking care for a SRC within 90 days post-injury were included in this study. Participants completed a self-report, 4-point Likert scale (0-Never, 3-Most of the Time) questionnaire that assessed the previous week’s frequency of Sleep, Physical Activity (PA), Diet, Hydration, and Stress Management (Stress) behavioral regulation domains. Scores were divided into HIGH (Most of the Time) and LOW (Some of the Time - Never) regulation groups for each domain. A series of independent samples t-tests and analyses of covariance (ANCOVA; controlling for sex, history of anxiety/depression) were used to compare groups on Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) total score at first clinical visit. Five-hundred thirty-seven participants (M = 15.35, SD = 2.40 yrs, 54% female) completed the study measures at 9.38 days post-injury (SD = 10.33). Participants in the HIGH behavioral regulation groups for Sleep (F (1, 537) = 68.16, p < 0.001), Diet (F (1, 537) = 22.42, p < 0.001), PA (F (1, 537) = 15.47, p < 0.001), and Stress (F (1, 537) = 6.70, p < 0.01), demonstrated significantly lower total symptom scores than the LOW groups. There were no significant between-group differences for Hydration (F (1, 537) = 3.62, p = 0.06). Effectively engaging in light PA, stress management, and consistent sleep and diet following SRC affects post-concussion symptom severity and should be considered an acute treatment plan. Hydration appears less influential in reducing symptom burden at initial clinical visit.