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Piattaforma Peer Review
Tribuna Medica Ticinese
V. 2 N. 3-4 (2025), Articoli

Young athletes’ and parents’ knowledge of sports-related concussion in Italian-speaking Switzerland: a pilot study

Articoli
Pubblicato: 2025-04-28
DOI: https://doi.org/10.63648/byxvx240
Giovanna Pedroni
Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9839-2128
Marta Fadda
Institute of Family Medicine, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
Anne-Linda Camerini
Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2316-6228
Andrea Castiglioni
Pediatrician and sports doctor, Lugano, Switzerland
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-5543-8343
Jacopo Calciolari
Pediatrician and sports doctor, Institute of Pediatrics of Southern Switzerland. Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Mendrisio, Switzerland
https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2686-2985
Davide Bassi
Unit of Pediatric Neurology and Pediatric Neurorehabilitation, Woman-Mother-Child Department, Lausanne University Hospital CHUV, Lausanne, Switzerland
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5717-5480
Barbara Goeggel Simonetti
Division of Pediatric Neurology, Institute of Pediatrics of Southern Switzerland. Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale, Bellinzona, Switzerland; Faculty of Biomedical Sciences, Università della Svizzera italiana, Lugano, Switzerland; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Bern, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6687-8199

Parole chiave

Concussion
mTBI
sport
children
adolescents
Switzerland
Ticino
knowledge
V. 2 N. 3-4 (2025)

Abstract

Purpose. Knowledge about sports-related concussion (SRC) symptoms, prevention and management is critical to minimise severe consequences in paediatric patients, yet evidence on SRC knowledge among young athletes and their parents in the European context is scarce. This pilot study aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of population-based study on SRC knowledge and associated factors in the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland. 

Methods. The CKBBQ was translated and adapted to fit the cultural context. Linguistic and face validity were assured before collecting pilot data. Participants were recruited in early 2024 through sports coaches of high-risk team sports. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and bivariate correlations were performed to evaluate SRC knowledge levels in young athletes and parents and how it might differ based on socio-demographic and information-related factors. 

Results. Data from 61 parents and 45 young athletes revealed that sociodemographic factors are not associated with SRC knowledge, but having received SRC information in the past year is a significant and positive predictor. Also, using dyadic data, a significant positive correlation was found between parents’ and adolescents’ SRC knowledge. 

Conclusions. SRC information is crucial in improving SRC knowledge. A large-scale population-based prevalence study is needed to corroborate these findings and inform future SRC information interventions adapted to the specific cultural context. The study highlights the importance of reducing barriers to questionnaire access and involving key stakeholders including the sports doctor catering for this population.