Schools concussion study

About this research

Playing sport improves your health and wellbeing. Recently, potential downsides to contact sports have come into focus, particularly the risk of concussion. However, more research is required to understand brain health in people playing contact sports.

This study is to investigate advanced neuroimaging methods to enhance the diagnosis of concussion to:

  • study the structural changes that are induced by a concussion
  • investigate more advanced MRI methods for diagnosis of outcome
  • determine the temporal profile of neuroimaging changes over time.

Who can participate

You may be eligible to participate if you:

  • are aged 14 - 19 years
  • play rugby, basketball, or swim competitively at a South East Queensland school or club
  • have no history of neurological symptoms

What's involved

  • All young athletes involved in the study undergo preliminary (baseline) tests.
  • If you chose to be a control participant, you would repeat these tests at set intervals.
  • If a rugby player experiences a concussion, a similar series of post-concussion tests are required to track how the brain recovers. Ideally, rugby players should complete the baseline testing before the school season starts. However, athletes can join the study at any time.

Benefits of participating

Everyone who completes baseline testing will receive a $50 Rebel gift voucher. You can also request a copy of your brain scan. Plus, you get to feel good about helping improve the safety of sport for all.

By participating, you will also learn more about your health and the signs and symptoms of brain injury. If you play rugby and sustain a concussion during the season, you will have access to regular screening and will be carefully monitored by industry experts in brain research.

How to participate

Please complete this short Expression of Interest form and QBI’s study coordinator will be in touch to discuss the next steps. Information provided to QBI will be held in strict confidence.

Ethics, data collection and privacy

This study has been approved by The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval No.2021/HE002696].

Contact

Please contact our team via email QBIconcussionstudy@uq.edu.au