Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE): Implications for Athlete Well-being
PSY FPX 6840 Assessment 1 Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition stemming from repeated head traumas (Lepage et al., 2019). Its impact on cognition, mood, and behavior is well-documented (Laffey et al., 2018). Sadly, CTE can only be definitively diagnosed post-mortem (Lepage et al., 2019). As a former college football player, I’ve witnessed firsthand how repetitive head injuries can erode an athlete’s confidence and affect their performance (Barr, 2020). The crossroads of CTE and concussions in athletics has drawn immense global attention (Barr, 2020).
Psychological Interventions for Athletes with CTE Risk
Sport psychology works to maximize the mental condition of athletes for peak performance (Lavaellee & Wylleman, 2000). CTE, however, presents distinctive challenges for the realization of this goal because of its cognitive and affective influence (Laffey et al., 2018). Impulsivity, depression, and memory loss symptoms can undermine an athlete’s performance capacity (Laffey et al., 2018). Despite this, interventions such as goal-setting, concentration training, and cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) are promising areas for CTE-related stressors treatment (Lavaellee & Wylleman, 2000).
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a Promising Approach
Among them, CBT, and especially mindfulness interventions, is viewed to be effective in reducing the effects of CTE (Lavaellee & Wylleman, 2000). Through self-awareness and emotional regulation, players are able to manage the adversity that CTE imposes (Lavaellee & Wylleman, 2000).
Challenges and Stigma in Professional Football
In professional football, the focus on toughness dissuades players from admitting or reporting head injuries (Barr, 2020). This has resulted in law suits by previous players against the NFL for neglect in managing cases of head trauma (Abreu et al., 2016). Concussions and CTE are still talked about in whispered tones across the league because players fear punishment from team management (Abreu et al., 2016).
Emerging Research and Interventions
PSY FPX 6840 Assessment 1 Even with all these challenges, research continues to have promise in preventing and treating CTE. Treatment methods such as LIPUS hold promise in stopping the neurological harm of traumatic brain injury, which includes CTE (Tsai, 2020). Finally, animal studies offer important information regarding CTE pathology development and informing potential intervention and treatment options (Kahriman et al., 2021).
In summary, the intricate relationship between sports, head injury, and psychiatry needs to be tackled to guarantee the welfare of athletes. In embracing evidence-based therapies and open communication, we are better equipped to serve athletes at any point in dealing with the intricacies of CTE.
References
Abreu, M. A., Cromartie, F. J., & Spradley, B. D. (2016). Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) and former national football league player suicides. Sport Journal, 1-12.
Barr, W. B. (2020). Believers versus deniers: The radicalization of sports concussion and chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) science. Canadian Psychology/Psychologie Canadienne, 61(2), 151–162. https://doi.org/10.1037/cap0000210
PSY FPX 6840 Assessment 1 CTE and the effects on Cognitive Performance
Kahriman, A., Bouley, J., Smith, T.W. et al. (2021) Mouse closed head traumatic brain injury replicates the histological tau pathology pattern of human disease: characterization of a novel model and systematic review of the literature. Acta Neuropathol Commun, 9, 118. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40478-021-01220-8
Lavaellee, D., & Wylleman, P. (2000). Career transitions in sport: International perspectives. Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics.
Lepage, C., Muehlmann, M., Tripodis, Y., Hufschmidt, J., Stamm, J., Green, K., Wrobel, P., Schultz, V., Weir, I., Alosco et al. (2019). Limbic system structure volumes and associated neurocognitive functioning in former NFL players. Brain Imaging and Behavior, 13(3), 725–734. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11682-018-9895-z
NFL Players Sound Off On Concussions. (2016, February 4). Associated Press.
PSY FPX 6840 Assessment 1 CTE and the effects on Cognitive Performance
Tsai. (2020). Preventive potential of low intensity pulsed ultrasound for chronic traumatic encephalopathy after repetitive head collisions in contact sports. Medical Hypotheses, 134. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2019.109422
