Deconstruction Post-Concussion Syndrome: Is it a Neurological Condition?
What is the aim of the study?
The primary objective of this research project is to better understand why some individuals experience symptoms of concussion for months to years after their initial injury. We will do this by examining the presence and progression of these post-concussive symptoms in patients with post-concussion syndrome (i.e., persistent post-concussive symptoms) and chronic pain. In understanding these factors, this study will assist clinicians in finding more suitable treatments and management strategies that can more effectively target the underlying causes of this condition.
About the study
Participants will first be required to complete a short 10-to-15 minute online screener survey to determine if they are eligible for the study. Eligible participants will then be a sent a second online survey with additional questions. This survey will take approximately 30-to-40 minutes to complete. After completing the second survey, the participant will be contacted to schedule a cognitive assessment. This assessment will examine their thinking skills (e.g., attention, memory, problem solving ability and more). This assessment can be completed in person at Macquarie University or online through zoom and will take approximately 90 minutes to complete.
Participants will then be followed up at 4- and 8-months to track the progression of their symptoms. This follow-up will involve filling out a short 20-minute online survey. Participants will also undergo a follow-up cognitive assessment at the 8-month follow-up.
Who can participate?
– Aged 18-65 years
– Experienced symptoms of post-concussion for 1 month or more OR musculoskeletal chronic pain (e.g., back pain, joint pain, neck pain, shoulder pain) for 3 months or more
What will happen to your information?
Participants will be assigned a randomised ID. All demographic data and neuropsychological results will be de-identified. The de-identified information will be stored separately from the sensitive information and are unlikely to be re-identifiable. The de-identified data will be statistically analysed to answer the research questions and will be used by the PhD candidate to compose their theses as fulfilment of their Doctor of Philosophy Master of Clinical Neuropsychology degree. The de-identified results may also be written up into manuscripts for journal publications or conference presentations. De-identified copies of the data may also be made available to scientific researchers outside of the research team. Such cases include where other scientists wish to check the integrity of the published results, or where the custodians or their future collaborators wish to undertake additional analysis of previously collected data. Any data made available to other researchers will be de-identified such that individual participants will only be referred by a participant-number code.
The data will consist of numeric and qualitative data, collected either in person, or through a teleconference platform or Qualtrics survey. Questionnaire or neuropsychological test data collected in person or through the teleconferencing platform will be recorded on paper or physical test protocols. These protocols will be scanned and uploaded to a secure Microsoft Sharepoint, and the hard copies will be kept in a locked cabinet at university. This confidential part of the data will be held securely for 10 years following publications and will be subsequently destroyed. De-identified copies of the data may be held indefinitely.
When will the study conclude?
30th April 2025
Who do I contact for more information?
Keefe Ip (PhD Candidate) keefe.ip@hdr.mq.edu.au
Dick Stevenson (Primary Supervisor dick.stevenson@mq.edu.au
More information on the project