The establishment of normative data on Xhosa-speaking high school learners using the ImPACT 3.0 programme
- Authors: Salman-Godlo, Noluthando Cikizwa
- Date: 2006
- Subjects: Brain -- Concussion -- South Africa , Sports -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa , Sports injuries -- Psychological spects , Neuropsychological tests , ImPACT 3.0
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:3048 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002557 , Brain -- Concussion -- South Africa , Sports -- Psychological aspects -- South Africa , Sports injuries -- Psychological spects , Neuropsychological tests , ImPACT 3.0
- Description: Concussion is a common form of brain injury, especially amongst sports players of all age groups. ImPACT is a valid and reliable measure of a variety of cognitive functions commonly affected by such injuries, which allows for objective return-to-play decision making (Iverson, Lovell, & Collins, 2003). However, studies show that the transfer of such tests from one ethnic group to another without appropriate standardization is highly problematic (Ardila, 1995). Thus, the relative absence of South African normative data for the ImPACT 3.0 programme is an issue for concern. Consequently, this study aimed to establish norms for semi-rural Xhosa-speaking schoolboys with an advantaged education (ages 14, 16 and 18) for the ImPACT 3.0 programme as administered in English. Administrative and linguistic difficulties that were experienced by individuals during completion of the battery were also identified. Finally, the study included a comparison of the percentile scores of this sample to the USA norms for boys of a similar age group. Subtests scores were generated for 70 schoolboys and the data were then subjected to statistical analysis. A significant difference between English proficiency of the Grade 8 and Grade 12 boys was found. This indicates the importance of including an English proficiency test with the ImPACT battery when assessing such populations. No other significant differences were found between these age group samples. Although this requires further investigation, the comparison of the USA and SA percentiles suggests the use of local norms for this population. South African boys in this study consistently scored lower than the USA sample. Finally, it is recommended that symptom selfreports should be verbally investigated with each boy after testing, given indications of comprehension problems. In closing, limitations and future possible studies are discussed.
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- Date Issued: 2006
The scrum-down on brain damage effects of cumulative mild head injury in rugby: a comparison of group mean scores between national rugby players and non-contact sport controls
- Authors: Finkelstein, Melissa
- Date: 2000
- Subjects: Sports injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Neuropsychological tests , Rugby football injuries
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Masters , MSc
- Identifier: vital:2976 , http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1002485 , Sports injuries , Head -- Wounds and injuries , Sports injuries -- Psychological aspects , Neuropsychological tests , Rugby football injuries
- Description: The present study comprises the second phase of a larger and ongoing research study investigating the brain damage effects of cumulative mild head injury in rugby. The purpose of this study was to determine whether cumulative mild head injury sustained in the game of rugby would cause brain injury as evidenced by impaired performance on sensitive neuropsychological tests. Participants were Springbok professional rugby players (n = 26), Under 21 rugby players (n = 19), and a non-contact sport control of national hockey players (n = 21). Comparisons of performance were carried out across a spectrum of neuropsychological tests for the three rugby groups (Total Rugby, Springbok Rugby, and Under 21 Rugby) versus the performance of the non-contact sport control group (Hockey Control), as well as comparisons of performance f9r the subgroups of Rugby Forwards versus Rugby Backs. Comparisons revealed a consistent pattern of poorer performance across all rugby groups relative to the performance of the controls on tests highly sensitive to the effects of diffuse brain damage. Within rugby group comparisons (Forwards versus Backs) showed significantly poorer performance for Total Rugby Forwards and Springbok Rugby Forwards relative to the performance of the respective Total Rugby Backs and Springbok Rugby Backs on sensitive, as well as on somewhat less sensitive, neuropsychological tests. The performance of Under 21 Rugby Forwards relative to Under 21 Rugby Backs demonstrated similar trends. Brain reserve capacity theory was used as a conceptual basis for discussing the implications of these findings.
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- Date Issued: 2000