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. 2023 Jan 1;65(1):e21-e27.
doi: 10.1097/JOM.0000000000002738. Epub 2022 Nov 4.

Head Trauma and Concussions in Film and Television Stunt Performers: An Exploratory Study

Ariana B Senn  1 , Leslie P McMichael, Lori J Stewart, Jeffrey A Russell
Affiliations

Head Trauma and Concussions in Film and Television Stunt Performers: An Exploratory Study

Ariana B Senn et al. J Occup Environ Med. .

Abstract

Objectives: The aims of the study were to assess prevalence and management of head impacts in stunt performers and to evaluate performers' quality of life and ability to work after head injury.

Methods: Stunt performers completed an online survey about head impacts/head whips history, diagnosed concussions, reasons for not reporting injuries, health care sought after head impacts, attitudes toward on-set concussion management, perceived ability to work as a stunt performer, and health-related quality of life.

Results: One hundred seventy-three performers (80%) indicated at least one head impact/head whip during their stunt career. Of these, 86% exhibited concussion-like symptoms and 38% received one or more concussion diagnoses. Sixty-five percent continued working with concussion-like symptoms. Short Form-12 mental component scores were suggestive of depression in 42%.

Conclusions: Concussion seems to be a serious occupational health issue in stunt performers. We suggest that concussion management, risk reduction, and education should be addressed in this community.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: L.P.M. and L.J.S. are members of the Canadian stunt community. L.P.M. is the owner and principal of White Wing Enterprises, Ltd, a company involved in stunt performance and stunt coordination. L.P.M.’s husband, Steven McMichael, is a stuntman and stunt coordinator. L.J.S. is independently contracted as a health and safety performer advocate by the Union of British Columbia Performers/Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists. J.A.R.’s institution, Ohio University, provided a grant to cover the open access publishing fee for this article.

Figures

FIGURE 1
FIGURE 1
This flowchart illustrates how participants were processed through the study, with numbers of participants indicated for key stages.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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