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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Irish Journal of Medical Science

The development and mixed-method stakeholder evaluation of a sport-related concussion symptom and treatment monitoring system in community rugby

  • Laura C. Power1,2,3
  • Ian C. Kenny1,2,3,4
  • John J.E. Mulvihill2,3,5
  • Kilian L. Bibby1,2,3
  • Helen Purtill2,6
  • Aaron J. Zynda7
  • Michael W. Collins7
  • Anthony P. Kontos7
  • Tom M. Comyns1,2,3
7 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
  2. 2Health Research Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
  3. 3Sport & Human Performance Research Centre, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
  4. 4Lero, the Research Ireland Centre for Software, Limerick, Ireland
  5. 5School of Engineering and Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
  6. 6Department of Mathematics & Statistics, University of Limerick, Limerick, Ireland
  7. 7Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, USA
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Abstract

Background: Sport-related concussion injuries are common in community Rugby Union. Despite research advancements in SRC management in recent years, little is known about the translation of research to practice within community Rugby Union cohorts.

Aims: To develop and evaluate a novel system to track comprehensive SRC history, symptoms, and treatment data within community Rugby Union players.

Methods: The Three-Phase Rugby Concussion System (TPRCS) collected comprehensive SRC data from players throughout the 2024-25 community Rugby Union season at baseline, 0–5 days post-SRC, and 0–5 days post-unrestricted return to play. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for stakeholders (players and club medics, n = 10) involved post-season, to evaluate participation experience, alongside perceived research facilitators, barriers, and usefulness.

Results: Survey compliance ranged from 51% at baseline (n = 135), to 74% for post-SRC (n = 23), and post-clearance surveys (n = 23). The evaluation surveys received positive feedback for TPRCS’s ease of use and communication pathways, with player enthusiasm levels for study participation being the lowest-scoring survey response. The main facilitators for TPRCS included club culture, incentives, and personal contact, whilst the main barriers were absence of injury reporting and lack of prioritisation from players. Stakeholders identified education, injury treatment, and policy change as potential areas of usefulness.

Conclusions: Medics and players in community Rugby Union are enthusiastic to progress practice and behaviours in line with research. Overall, this stakeholder-evaluated comprehensive SRC data collection system can serve as a novel SRC research framework across Rugby Unions.

Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-026-04485-x.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{power2026development,
  title = {{The development and mixed-method stakeholder evaluation of a sport-related concussion symptom and treatment monitoring system in community rugby}},
  author = {Laura C. Power and Ian C. Kenny and John J.E. Mulvihill and Kilian L. Bibby and Helen Purtill and Aaron J. Zynda and Michael W. Collins and Anthony P. Kontos and Tom M. Comyns},
  journal = {Irish Journal of Medical Science},
  year = {2026},
  month = jun,
  doi = {10.1007/s11845-026-04485-x},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-026-04485-x},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - The development and mixed-method stakeholder evaluation of a sport-related concussion symptom and treatment monitoring system in community rugby
AU  - Laura C. Power
AU  - Ian C. Kenny
AU  - John J.E. Mulvihill
AU  - Kilian L. Bibby
AU  - Helen Purtill
AU  - Aaron J. Zynda
AU  - Michael W. Collins
AU  - Anthony P. Kontos
AU  - Tom M. Comyns
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/06/19
JO  - Irish Journal of Medical Science
DO  - 10.1007/s11845-026-04485-x
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-026-04485-x
AB  - Background: Sport-related concussion injuries are common in community Rugby Union. Despite research advancements in SRC management in recent years, little is known about the translation of research to practice within community Rugby Union cohorts.  Aims: To develop and evaluate a novel system to track comprehensive SRC history, symptoms, and treatment data within community Rugby Union players.  Methods: The Three-Phase Rugby Concussion System (TPRCS) collected comprehensive SRC data from players throughout the 2024-25 community Rugby Union season at baseline, 0–5 days post-SRC, and 0–5 days post-unrestricted return to play. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for stakeholders (players and club medics, n = 10) involved post-season, to evaluate participation experience, alongside perceived research facilitators, barriers, and usefulness.  Results: Survey compliance ranged from 51% at baseline (n = 135), to 74% for post-SRC (n = 23), and post-clearance surveys (n = 23). The evaluation surveys received positive feedback for TPRCS’s ease of use and communication pathways, with player enthusiasm levels for study participation being the lowest-scoring survey response. The main facilitators for TPRCS included club culture, incentives, and personal contact, whilst the main barriers were absence of injury reporting and lack of prioritisation from players. Stakeholders identified education, injury treatment, and policy change as potential areas of usefulness.  Conclusions: Medics and players in community Rugby Union are enthusiastic to progress practice and behaviours in line with research. Overall, this stakeholder-evaluated comprehensive SRC data collection system can serve as a novel SRC research framework across Rugby Unions.  Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s11845-026-04485-x.
SN  - 0021-1265
SN  - 1863-4362
ER  -