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ScienceDaily accurately reports intent and results of a study on sex-specific differences in concussion treatment

11/9/2019

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Reviewed by: Julia Schmid and Sean Luke

Average Score: 5 / 5

In Summary: The intent and results of a recent CHOP study on the factors affecting recovery and treatment of concussions in female athletes in comparison to male athletes were accurately reported. Although there is an objective perspective, multiple perspectives are not touched upon, although this may not have been the goal of the news article.
Original News Story
Research Article
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Image by: Maximillian Soltysiak
Julia Schmid
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            It is well known in the field of concussion research that female patients present symptoms for a longer duration than their male counterparts; however, this article attributes the disparity between genders to the time line for seeking care after affliction. These findings suggest that remediating the gap in the time line is an accessible way to minimize the discrepancy in recovery time between genders. The claims made in this article support the original research in counteracting the popular belief that weaker neck musculature and a lower biomechanical threshold (the relative ability to tolerate an impact) in females is the main reason for the discrepancy between genders (Mollayeva, 2018). The CHOP article presents the findings of the original research in a manor that is accurate and representative of its magnitude; while also maintaining a concise narrative.

            The CHOP article is not misleading, it recognizes the results and important assertions of the research and does not express an opinion on the findings. However, it should be noted that bias is present; the only opinion featured is an interview with an author of the original paper. The lack of independent sources used indicates that the article does not provide a balanced account of the subject of interest.

            In regard to accessibility, the article is somewhat deficient as the paper of interest is not publicly available; therefore, a portion of the readers are unable to compare the statements made by the article to that of the original research piece.
Sean Luke
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            This article described the inequity between males and females in sports-related concussions (SRC) and how this difference is correlated to a delay of recovery and the birth of more symptoms. The purpose of this article was to focus on a study that questions whether medical and athletic trainer coverage that leads to concussion identification and treatment is sufficient in female athletics. This claim that soccer, basketball and cheerleading have the highest rates of concussions in females is not cited with any peer-reviewed journal article. Meanwhile, another article by Hernandez et al. found that soccer and lacrosse show the highest rates of concussions with approximately 0.35 concussions every 1000 athletes participating in one game.

              The journal article takes an objective perspective and tone by making reasonable conclusions from the facts given by the original article. However, the only subjective opinion in the article is from the author of the original article, which may suggest a bias. This article has a fairly neutral presentation, with minimal graphics, advertisements and social media prompts. The accessibility for the news story lacks in that the original research article is not publicly available.
Index for Review
References:

Hernandez, J., Sineath, M. H. J. & Klatt, C. For female athletes, what sports are at high risk for concussion? Evidence-Based Prat. 21, E16 (2018).
https://journals.lww.com/ebp/Abstract/2018/01000/For_female_athletes,_what_sports_are_at_high_risk.30.aspx

Mollayeva, T., El-Khechen-Richandi, G. & Colantonio, A. Sex & gender considerations in concussion research. Concussion (London, England) 3, CNC51 (2018).
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6094024/
The views expressed by the reviewers for this article are not endorsed or shared by SciFeye. The interpretation of the review of the news story using the SciFeye Index was done independently by two SciFeye reviewers. We encourage you to conduct your own evaluation of the accuracy and quality of the news story using the Index.
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