Individuals with concussions face numerous potentially lingering cognitive and physical impairments. Return-to-learn research has uncovered difficulties students with past concussions face in the classroom setting. Individuals with concussions have demonstrated impairments in information processing speed such as receiving fast pace incoming information and extraction of salient components. Minimal research to date has evaluated the impact of concussions on information behaviour (IB).
Pearl growing search technique and a standardized approach of keyword searching of six databases (Scopus, PubMed, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, Library Literature and Information Science Full Text (H.W. Wilson) and Library Information Science & Technology Abstracts) was performed in this literature review. Eighty articles are included within this literature review. Google search was performed to integrate relevant mentioned grey literature.
This literature review highlights a gap in evaluating how concussion symptoms could disrupt IB and theorizes how persistent concussion symptoms (PCS) such as physical impairments (visual and auditory) and cognitive impairments (deficits in memory, attention and processing speed) could impact IB. Potential IB disruptions are theorized using Kuhlthau’s (1991) Information Search Process Model. Library supports for conditions with similar physical and cognitive impairments are reviewed to theorize possible approaches that could be of benefit for individuals with PCS.
First paper in Library and Information Science and Technologies (LIS&T) to theorize possible difficulties individuals with concussions experience when engaging in IB.
