The development and mixed-method stakeholder evaluation of a sport-related concussion symptom and treatment monitoring system in community rugby.

BACKGROUND

Sport-related concussion injuries are common in community Rugby Union. Despite research advancements in SRC management in recent years, little is known about the translation of research to practice within community Rugby Union cohorts.

AIMS: To develop and evaluate a novel system to track comprehensive SRC history, symptoms, and treatment data within community Rugby Union players.

METHODS

The Three-Phase Rugby Concussion System (TPRCS) collected comprehensive SRC data from players throughout the 2024-25 community Rugby Union season at baseline, 0-5 days post-SRC, and 0-5 days post-unrestricted return to play. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for stakeholders (players and club medics, n = 10) involved post-season, to evaluate participation experience, alongside perceived research facilitators, barriers, and usefulness.

RESULTS

Survey compliance ranged from 51% at baseline (n = 135), to 74% for post-SRC (n = 23), and post-clearance surveys (n = 23). The evaluation surveys received positive feedback for TPRCS's ease of use and communication pathways, with player enthusiasm levels for study participation being the lowest-scoring survey response. The main facilitators for TPRCS included club culture, incentives, and personal contact, whilst the main barriers were absence of injury reporting and lack of prioritisation from players. Stakeholders identified education, injury treatment, and policy change as potential areas of usefulness.

CONCLUSIONS

Medics and players in community Rugby Union are enthusiastic to progress practice and behaviours in line with research. Overall, this stakeholder-evaluated comprehensive SRC data collection system can serve as a novel SRC research framework across Rugby Unions.