Concussion Safety Beliefs and Participation Decisions Among US Adults With a History of Concussion.

INTRODUCTION

Concussion safety education must address specific participation decisions as well as general beliefs.

METHOD: An anonymous, opt-in online survey of 100 US adults with self-reported concussion history was analyzed descriptively.

RESULTS

Ninety-one percent endorsed avoiding same-day return after suspected concussion, and 81% would not allow a child to continue immediately after a "mild" concussion. Among the 91 endorsing no same-day return, 9 would allow immediate continuation, 7 selected sport-dependent participation, and 2 were unsure. Medical clearance was supported by 88% on an agreement item, whereas 77% selected clearance after every concussion on a separate question.

CONCLUSIONS

Responses varied across differently worded safety questions; they do not establish actual behavior or national prevalence.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Education could distinguish immediate removal from later graduated return and explicitly address injuries described as mild. These descriptive findings support testing such messages, rather than demonstrating their effectiveness.