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Post Concussion Problems in the Classroom

npr.org

A new University of Rochester study looks at whether students are experiencing problems in school after suffering a concussion compared to other sports-related injuries.

The study shows females and those who have suffered 2 or more previous concussions are still having problems academically one month after their injury.

Erin Wasserman  is a sports injury epidemiologist at UNC Chapel Hill.

She was lead author of the study at the U of R. 

The research group is also from the U of R.

She says the study shows that student athletes who suffered a concussion have significantly more academic issues one week after the injury, compared to those who suffered other sports-related injuries.

One month later, the groups are equal, but the study also reveals those who have had multiple concussions, and females in the concussion group, are still suffering from academic dysfunction.

Wasserman says the study shows that there needs to be academic adjustments for students who have suffered a concussion.

"Schools should be working to set up some kind of plan to help their students get back to classroom appropriately, and provide some sort of accommodation," she says.

Wasserman says that could mean taking personal leave from school, or breaks during the day.

She says the next step in the process is to determine what interventions can help these students keep up with their school work.