Lasting effect of ‘mild’ concussion revealed
IT’S been more than 10 years since Steve Devine quit rugby after one head knock too many and his left pupil still doesn’t dilate.
The now 41-year-old former All Black and Blues halfback suffered repeated concussions throughout his decade-long career but for a long time didn’t suffer any symptoms.
But after a year off and more big hits he quit on medical advice in 2007, knowing ‘‘somthing wasn’t quite right’’.
‘‘Absolute fatigue’’ saw him fall asleep in his car, or slumped in the hallway. He couldn’t stand bright lights and suffered around four migraines a week for two and a half years.
New research has now shown even mild knocks to the head can impact a person’s ability to function up to four years.
A first time study from AUT, the University of Auckland and Waikato University on the longterm impact of a mild-TBI (traumatic brain injury, including concussion) found people who sustained these injuries had significantly increased cognitive symptoms including forgetfulness, poor concentration and taking longer to think four years after injury.
‘‘Many people go on unaware the symptoms they’re seeing are from an injury from a long time ago,’’ lead researcher Dr Alice Theadom of AUT’s National Institute for Stroke and Applied Neuroscience said.
The research, published this week in PLOS-ONE, looked at 232 people who suffered mild brain injuries in 2010.
Theadom found that while many recovered well within weeks, a significant group were still struggling 12 months later.
‘‘What became apparent was these injuries that were classified as mild were having impacts that weren’t necessarily mild.’’
Four years on, many reported issues with memory and concentration when compared with a control group matched for age. They also experienced reduced community participation in terms of productivity and social relations.
The ACC national concussion guidelines state around 35,000 New Zealanders suffer head injuries each year.
Today Devine is fit and healthy, working as a fireman in Auckland.
‘‘I struggled for years, but had some treatment and things have gotten better and better. I’m back to being as good as I’ve ever been.’’