A - 19 Relationship Between Video Game Use and Clinical Outcomes Following Concussion in Adolescents: Preliminary Findings

Abstract Purpose To evaluate the relationship between video game use and clinical outcomes following concussion in adolescents. Method Participants (aged 13–18 years) completed a multidomain clinical assessment (demographics, Concussion Clinical Profile Screen [CP Screen], Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screen [VOMS], Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing [ImPACT], video game questionnaire) at initial visit (V1;7.6 ± 5.1 days since injury) and follow up visit (V2; 11.6 ± 4.7 days since last visit). Participants were categorized into LOW (0–3 days), and HIGH (3+ days) groups based on self-reported video game use each week. T-tests, chi-square tests, and ANCOVAs were used to evaluate group differences at each visit, and two-way mixed ANOVAs examined group*time interactions. Results Thirty-seven participants (age = 15.3 ± 2.5 years; 32% female) were included: 25 (67.6%) in the HIGH group and 12 (32.4%) in the LOW group. The HIGH group had a greater proportion who played video games >1 hr/day (80% vs. 25%, p = 0.006) and had a concussion history (64.0% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.03) but a lower proportion who had LOC (0.0% vs. 25.0%, p = 0.03). The HIGH group performed better on ImPACT visual memory at V1 (37th% vs. 16th%, p = 0.04) but not when controlling for LOC and history of concussion (p = 0.35). There were no differences at V2 or for the group*time interactions. Conclusions Results indicate no relationship between video game use during the past week and clinical outcomes following concussion in adolescents. High weekly video game use did not negatively affect clinical outcomes over time. Future research should include a larger sample size and monitor actual video game time.