Impact of Mental Health on Cognitive Test Performance in CFL Athletes

Abstract

Approximately 3.5 million Canadians will meet the criteria for a mood disorder in their life time. Previous research has found that athletes are at a greater risk for mental health disorders than the general public. This could be due to professional athletes having intense physical and mental demands placed upon them during their sports career which can increase their susceptibility to mental health problems. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships between athletes’ mental health and their cognitive performance during baseline concussion testing. Study participants included 951 Canadian Football League (CFL) athletes ages 21 to 37. The participants underwent cognitive baseline testing that included the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS 29), the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI-18), and the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT). Results found that the BSI-18 and PROMIS 29 index scores did not show significant differences on cognitive performance scores on the ImPACT. Researchers did note significant variables could influence cognitive performance. This study found that history of concussion, history of psychiatric disorder, diagnosed ADHD, and diagnosed SLD showed significant differences on the ImPACT index scores. This information may help mental health professionals interpret cognitive results in relation to the additional factors that can influence cognitive performances in athletes.