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Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in propensity for risk-taking between college-aged individuals with and without a history of concussion. Methods A cross-sectional study of individuals ages 18-30 years was conducted. Participants were administered a brief survey that included demographics, medical history, and the General Risk Propensity Scale (GRiPS). The GRiPS is an 8-item, self-report measure that assesses an individual's general propensity to take risks (e.g. "I would take a risk even if it meant I might get hurt"). A score of 20 or higher indicates high propensity for risk taking while a score lower than 20 indicates low propensity for risk-taking. An independent samples t-test compared the mean scores of the GRiPS between individuals with and without a concussion history. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results One hundred eighty-one participants (92 female; μ age=20.65 years; SD=2.56 years) were included in this study. Ninety-six (53.0%) participants had no concussion history, while 85 (47.0%) had a history of concussion. No significant differences in GRiPS mean scores was noted between groups (no concussion history: μ=23.97, SD=5.96; concussion history: μ=23.68, SD=6.72, p=.73). Conclusions These results suggest that an individual's propensity for risk-taking is not influenced by concussion history, which conflicts with previous research. Future research may consider developing a survey to assess specific risk-taking behaviors that may be associated with a concussion (e.g. "I do not report symptoms of a concussion") or if a propensity for risk-taking is higher in individuals currently with a concussion or a specific number of previous concussions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To evaluate the relationship between self-reported cognitive activity and recovery outcomes (symptom reporting, recovery time) in college students following concussion. Method Cognitive activity was defined as self-reported minutes spent in class and studying during the first 5 days following concussion. Self-reported symptoms were reported at day 5 post-injury using the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS). The PCSS evaluates 22 symptoms on a 7-point Likert Scale from 0 (none) to 6 (severe). Recovery time was defined as total days from injury to unrestricted medical clearance. Separate Spearman's rank correlations assessed the relationship between total cognitive activity (minutes in class and studying) and recovery outcomes (symptom total (22), symptom severity (132), and recovery time). Alpha level set a priori at 0.05. Results Twenty-one participants (14 female, 7 male, 19.5 ± 1.3 years) averaged a total of 653[IQR = 348] minutes of cognitive activity during the first 5 days after concussion (334[IQR = 149] minutes in class, 273[IQR = 313] minutes studying). Five days after injury, participants self-reported 3[IQR = 8] total symptoms yielding a severity of 4[IQR = 12]. Participants took 15 [IQR = 8] days to reach unrestricted medical clearance. No associations were found between total cognitive load and any post-concussion recovery outcomes (symptom total: Rs = −.299, p = .19; symptom severity: Rs = −.230, p = .32; recovery time: Rs = −.041, p = .86). Conclusions Preliminary analyses suggest that concussed college students can be encouraged to gradually return to normal levels of cognitive activity, as it may not be associated with future symptom reporting or recovery time. Future research is needed to assess specific cognitive activities immediately influence on post-concussion symptom reporting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]