An initial assessment of an opinion leader-informed intervention to improve concussion-related outcomes among middle school parents: a randomized controlled trial

Introduction: There is a need for evidence-based prevention programming that can reduce head impacts and increase reporting and disclosure of concussion. This study assessed an intervention to decrease concussion risk and improve concussion management through improving concussion-related knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and self-efficacy among parents in the middle school (MS) sport setting. Patients and methods: This randomized controlled trial (NCT04841473) examined parents of MS-aged children. Participants were randomized into one of two study arms: (1) CDC, which completed an education training module that compiled concussion education from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); and (2) TRAIN + CDC, which completed the CDC training module and an additional TRAIN educational module that provided strategies (originating from the Popular Opinion Leader framework) on communicating such information with one’s personal peer networks and children. Validated measures of concussion-related knowledge, attitudes, intentions, and self-efficacy were collected before completing the training modules and one week following completion. Linear mixed model analyses examined differences in outcomes between study arms. Results: Overall, 103 parents completed the training modules and had valid pre- and post-intervention data (TRAIN + CDC n = 49; CDC n = 54). Analyses found that the study arms did not differ in the change scores from pre- to post-intervention across concussion-related outcomes. However, scores from pre- to post-intervention improved across both study arms for knowledge metrics, such as ‘Concussions are less likely to happen when athletes play by the rules of the sport’ (p < 0.001), and self-efficacy metrics, such as feeling confident in one’s knowledge and recognition of concussion symptoms (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Conclusions: Although study arms did not differ in change scores from pre- to post-intervention, beneficial increases were nonetheless found across both knowledge and self-efficacy. Additional research is needed to further examine the beneficial manners in which concussion education can be best delivered and the most effective.