Date of Award

Spring 2026

Abstract

AbstractBackground: Concussions are mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) that are often associated with short- and long-term cognitive impacts. Two specific cognitive skills people with concussion exhibit deficits in are working memory- the ability to retain and manipulate newly presented information- and episodic memory- memory of scenes that have occurred, similar to recalling a television episode. Previous studies have revealed mixed results in differences of narrative length between speakers with and without concussion; however, more information is needed on the relationship between memory and narrative production in speakers with concussion. Aims: This study compares the total number of utterances and mean length of utterance in words (MLUw) in video retells by speakers with and without concussion. Additionally, the present study aimed to assess the relationship between length of narrative retells and performance on working and episodic memory tasks in speakers with concussion, to determine the contribution of memory in recalling and sharing information from videos. Methods: The present study included 20 participants with concussion and 21 neurologically healthy controls. In-person study visits consisted of a hearing screening, completion of the NIH ToolBox Cognitive battery, and Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory, as well as a video retell task of the Pixar animated short, Presto. Scores from two tasks in the NIH ToolBox Cognitive battery, the List Sort Working Memory Task and the Picture Sequence Manual, were used as dependent variables of working and episodic memory, respectively. All tasks completed during the in-person study visit were recorded with participants’ written consent. Narrative retells were transcribed on CHAT transcription software to measure total utterances and MLUw. Results: Mann Whitney U tests were used to compare measures of narrative length in speakers with and without concussions. Total utterances were not statistically significantly different between healthy controls. For measures of MLUw, speakers with NBI and concussion had no statistically significant difference. Spearman's rho revealed no statistically significant relationships between either measure of memory to either measure of narrative length. Conclusions: Results from the present study reflect the mild, short-term symptoms often experienced by speakers with concussion. Analysis of story content, presence of vague or tangential language, and use of mental state terms should be completed to determine between group differences in performance of macrostructural elements of storytelling. Additionally, comparison of narrative length in the present task should be compared to narrative length in video retell tasks in which visual supports are provided during narrative production, to determine if memory aids impact narrative length in healthy controls or speakers with concussion.

Document Type

Master's Thesis

First Advisor

Kathryn J Greenslade

Second Advisor

Amy E Ramage

Third Advisor

Elise Bogart

Degree Name

Master of Science

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