A recent study has highlighted Perception among former NFL players of the effects of repeated head trauma that they experienced throughout their careers. About 34% of the 2,000 former players surveyed believe they suffer from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative neurological disease that has been linked to repetitive blows to the head.
Although CTE can only be diagnosed through an autopsy, the feeling of having the condition has raised concerns about high rates of cognitive problems, depression and suicidality in players who self-diagnose the condition.
The study, conducted by a team of researchers from Harvard University in collaboration with Mass General Brigham, highlighted that Players who suspected CTE had higher incidences of neuropsychiatric and physical symptoms compared to those who did not share this belief.
These former players more frequently reported depression, chronic pain, low testosterone levels, problems with concentration and memory, as well as suicidal tendencies. In fact, a quarter of participants who believed they had CTE mentioned thoughts of suicide or self-harm, a figure that contrasts significantly with the 5% of those who did not express the same belief.
Ross Zafonte, co-author of the study and leader of the research team, noted that beliefs can have a considerable impact on health. According to Zafonte, president of Spaulding Rehabilitation and head of the departments of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women’s, the former players’ symptoms are real and concerns about CTE are valid.
However, he warned that persistent anxiety about this condition, without a confirmed diagnosis, could exacerbate mental health problems by discouraging former players from seeking treatment for other related conditions.
One of the main conclusions of the study is that many of the health problems that affect former players, such as sleep apnea, chronic pain and high blood pressure, can also cause cognitive and emotional difficulties.
Conditions in life: Risks and symptoms
These treatable and often underestimated conditions could be responsible for the symptoms that former players attribute to CTE. Dr. Rachel Grashow, first author of the study, stressed that while we wait for research on CTE to advance, it is crucial to identify and treat conditions that can be addressed in life.
This, he said, would help reduce the risk of players seeing their symptoms as inevitable or incurable, which can often lead to hopelessness.
Another important finding was that former players who believe they have CTE, even after adjusting the data to account for depression, are still twice as likely to report suicidality.
This suggests that the perception of having a neurodegenerative disease, even without conclusive evidence, may be a key factor behind these trends, beyond the presence of depression. The researchers also highlighted that lack of accurate diagnosis and disproportionate attention to CTE can divert attention from other treatable health problems.
Measures such as weight loss, proper diet, improved sleep, and regular exercise have been shown to be effective in improving cognitive function and overall quality of life. They are key interventions that promote positive changes in health behaviors as part of a comprehensive strategy to address neuropsychiatric problems.
The study has generated a call to action for both former players and the doctors who care for them, urging them not to focus exclusively on the possibility of CTE, but to consider a broader range of treatable conditions.
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