Knowledge and attitudes of concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy amongst a sample of non-professional rugby players

Background: Sports related concussions are common in rugby. There is increasing awareness that repeated concussion may contribute to long-term neurological complications, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Objectives: To evaluate concussion knowledge (CK), concussion attitude (CA) and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy related knowledge (CTE-K) amongst non-professional rugby players’ in Ireland. To explore the impact gender, playing level, experience, and concussion history had on these outcomes. To identify interest in receiving further information and educational materials on CTE. Methods : Design: Cross sectional study. Setting & participants: A sample of non-professional rugby players (n = 529) registered with the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) was recruited between July 2023 and December 2023 to complete either a paper based or online version of the Rosenbaum Concussion Knowledge and Attitude Survey-Student Version (RoCKAS-ST) to evaluate players concussion knowledge index (CKI) and concussion attitude index (CAI). An additional chronic traumatic encephalopathy knowledge index (CTE-KI) was created for this study. Results: The mean score of RoCKAS knowledge was 20.1 ± 2.4 (range 10–25) and attitudes 63.5 ± 7.2 (range 39–75). The mean CTE-KI was 4.90 ±.9 (range 0–6). Club players scored significantly higher than school players in all sections. 81.1% of players expressed interest in receiving further education relating to CTE. Conclusions: Non-professional rugby players are generally knowledgeable about concussion. However, some gaps in their knowledge relating to coma and the course of symptoms of concussion were identified. Unsafe attitudes, particularly among school players, need to be addressed. Non-professional rugby players are interested in further education about CTE.