Initial investigation of kinesiophobia as a predictor of functional reaction time one year after concussion

TL;DR

This study explores how fear of movement after a concussion affects reaction time a year later.

Contribution

It identifies kinesiophobia as a predictor of single-task reaction time in individuals with a concussion history.

Findings

Participants with a concussion history had higher patient-reported outcomes scores.

Kinesiophobia significantly predicted single-task reaction time (R2 = 0.22).

No clinical or dual-task reaction time differences were found between groups.

Abstract

The relationship between post-concussion kinesiophobia and clinical and functional reaction time (RT) beyond clinical recovery remains to be elucidated.

College-aged participants with (n = 20) and without (n = 20) a concussion history completed patient-reported outcomes, and RT tasks. Kinesiophobia, symptoms and RTs were compared using t-tests. Linear regressions were performed to determine if kinesiophobia predicted RT measures and dual-task cost.

The concussion history group reported higher scores (p < 0.01) for all patient-reported outcomes. We observed significant single-task RT differences between groups (p = 0.013) such that those without a concussion history (m = 0.51s ± 0.08) were faster (m = 0.59s ± 0.12). There were no clinical or dual-task RT differences between groups (p > 0.05). Kinesiophobia significantly predicted single-task RT (R2 = 0.22).

Kinesiophobia should be considered when measuring RT.

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