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Concussion Research

Concussion Research

Our research focuses on a number of areas including: 1) the development, dissemination and evaluation of concussion education programs, 2) knowledge and attitudes associated with concussion safety and reporting in various groups including athletes, coaches and parents and 3) barriers to concussion reporting and factors that support reporting. 

The Center has ongoing or planned collaborations with the State University of Albany Science in the High Schools/Suffern High School and the Concussion Center of New York University Langone Health.

Peer-Reviewed Articles 

Ernst W.J. & Kneavel, M.E. (2022). Barriers to concussion reporting in collegiate athletes: An analysis of a peer-led worksheet activity. Journal of American College Health. DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2071621 

Kneavel, M. & Ernst., W.J. (2021). Cognitions that support concussion reporting in collegiate athletes: An analysis of a worksheet activity. Health, Education, & Behavior. https://doi.org/10.1177/10901981211046535                                          

McCarthy, K.S., Kneavel, M.E & Ernst, W.J. (2021). Psychometric properties of concussion knowledge and cognitive mediators of reporting measures. Brain Injury. DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2021.1959064 

Kneavel, M.E., Ernst, W.J. & McCarthy, K.S. (2020). Moderating effects of gender among collegiate student-athletes receiving a novel peer education program. Health Education and Behavior. DOI:10.1177/1090198120977128

Kneavel, M. E., Ernst, W. J. & McCarthy, K. S. (2020). Randomized controlled trial of a novel peer concussion-education program for collegiate athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 55:5, 456-468. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-0182.19 

Ernst, W.J. & Kneavel, M. E., (2020). Development of a peer education program to improve concussion knowledge and reporting in collegiate athletes. Journal of Athletic Training, 55:5, 448-455. doi: 10.4085/1062-6050-212-19 

Kneavel, M., Ernst, W.J. & Brandsma, L. (2019). College athletes’ perceptions of the culture of concussion reporting. Journal of American College Health. 1-9. DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2019.1679816

Peer-Reviewed Conference Presentations

Presentations (a brief summary and map of the conference presentations can be viewed by clicking this link.

Ernst, W.J., Kneavel, M.E. (October, 2022). The experiences of peer educators implementing a novel peer concussion education program with collegiate student-athletes. Poster presented at the 6th International Consensus Conference of Concussion in Sport, Amsterdam, Netherlands.  

Kneavel, M.E., Ernst W.J. (October, 2022). With whom are athletes discussing concussion. Exploring gender differences. Poster presented at the 6th International Consensus Conference of Concussion in Sport, Amsterdam, Netherlands. 

Ortale, L. (March 2022).  Changing the Culture of Concussion Through Peer Education.  Presentation at the NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Annual Conference, Baltimore, Maryland.

Ortale, L. (March 2022).  Changing the Culture of Concussion Through Peer Education. Presentation at the ACPA College Student Educators International Annual Conference, St. Louis, Missouri.

Ortale, L. (March 2021).  The Impact of Peer Concussion Education.  Presentation at the NASPA Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education Annual Conference (Virtual). 

Ernst, W.J., Kneavel, M.E. (July 2020). The experiences of peer educators implementing a novel peer concussion education program with collegiate student-athletes. Paper presented at the National Athletic Trainers Association Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA (Virtual).

Kneavel, M.E., Ernst, W.J., McCarthy, K.S. (July 2020). Gender differences in discussions and  reporting about concussions.  Paper presented at the National Athletic Trainers  Association Annual Conference. Atlanta, GA (Virtual).

Wenke, B. Ernst, W.J., Kneavel, M.E., & McCarthy, K.S. (November, 2019). A descriptive analysis of change in concussion knowledge in collegiate student-athletes participating in a novel peer concussion education program. Poster presented at the National Academy of Neuropsychology Annual Conference, San Diego, CA.

Kneavel, M.E., Ernst, W.J. & McCarthy, K.S. (November, 2019). Gender differences in peer concussion education program effectiveness. Paper presented at the American Public Health Association Annual Conference, Philadelphia, PA.

Wenke, B., Ernst, W.J., Kneavel, M.E. & McCarthy, K.S. (August, 2019). Impact of previous concussion and peer concussion education on knowledge and reporting. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois.

Kneavel, M.E., Ernst, W.J. & McCarthy, K.S. (August, 2019). Evaluation of the effectiveness of a novel peer concussion education program for college athletes. Paper presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois. 

Ernst, W.J., Kneavel, M.E, McCarthy, K.S. & Wenke, B. (August, 2019). A qualitative thematic analysis of a concussion reporting activity with collegiate student-athletes. Poster presented at the American Psychological Association Annual Conference, Chicago, Illinois.

Kneavel, M.E., Ernst, W. & McCarthy, K.S. (July, 2019). Development and assessment of a novel peer concussion education program for college athletes. Poster presented at the American Academy of Neurology Sports Concussion Annual Conference in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Ernst, W.J., McCarthy, K. S., Kneavel, M.E. & Gulick. S. (May, 2019). Results of a controlled trial of a peer concussion education program with collegiate football players. Poster presented at the Sports Neuropsychology Society Annual Meeting in Seattle, Washington.

Kneavel, M.E., Ernst, W.J., McCarthy, K.S. (April 2019). Changing the culture of concussion through a novel peer concussion education program. Paper presented at the Society for the Advancement of Violence and Injury Prevention Annual Meeting in Cincinnati Ohio.

Invited Presentations

Kneavel, M.E. & Ernst, W.J. (2019, June). Changing the culture of concussion through a novel peer concussion education program. NCAA-DoD Mind Matters Education and Research Summit. Indianapolis Indiana.

Ernst W. J. & Kneavel, M.  (2018, September). The Chestnut Hill College Peer Concussion Education Program. Presented to the Healthcare and Performance Staff of the Philadelphia Union Youth Soccer Academy. Chalfont, PA.

Ernst W. J. (2018, April). Changing the culture of concussion through a novel peer education program. Presented to the Traumatic Brain Injury Management Team Meeting of Widener University. Chester, PA.

Ernst, W.J. (2017, February). Concussion for school professionals. Workshop presented to the Monmouth County Association of Special Education Directors. Keyport, NJ.

Ernst, W. J. & Kneavel, M.E. (2016, February). Overview of the Proposed Chestnut Hill College Peer Concussion Education Program. NCAA-DoD Mind Matters Challenge Awards Ceremony. Indianapolis, IN.