Research Question: What is the experience of coming back to baseline following a concussion?
Population/Sampling: 3 individuals were recruited through word of mouth and social media inquiry. No advertisement was done for this study. Participants’ ages ranged from 18-22 with two participants having had a concussion within 6 months of their interview.
Methods: Colaizzi’s 7 step method for phenomenological analysis was employed for this study. The researcher kept a reflexive journal to bracket prior knowledge, personal thoughts, emotions and perceptions in attempt to remain as objective as possible throughout this analysis. Husserl’s underlying philosophy of phenomenology was used to guide the pilot study.
Data Analysis: Interviews were transcribed electronically by a transcription service, then reviewed for accuracy by the researcher. Transcriptions were then uploaded to the phenomenological analysis software Atlas.ti to be re-read whole. Significant statements were found in each interview, translated into formulated meanings and then clustered into themes. Themes were later reconsidered and condensed into a more manageable number of themes. Themes were used to create an exhaustive description of the experience.
Quality of Data Analysis: Respondent validation was used to determine the accuracy of themes and the exhaustive description. 2 out of 3 participants provided positive feedback with the results. Each participant was contacted following the completion of data analysis and formulated meaning elucidation from themes and supporting statements.
Findings: Following 3 short interviews, 9 clusters of themes were teased out of formulated meanings from the participant interviews. 3 themes were highlighted in this poster presentation. All themes were analyzed and formed into an exhausted description of the recovery process following a concussion.
Conclusions: The recovery period following a concussion is littered with persistent symptoms and the symptoms impact a multitude of daily activities. This includes work responsibility, social and familial interaction as well as feelings of frustration with self.
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