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Rivermead Post-Concussive Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ)
Availability
The instrument is freely available here: Rivermead Post-Concussive Symptoms Questionnaire.
Classification
NeuroRehab Supplemental - Highly Recommended:
Recommendations for Use: Indicated for studies requiring a measure of other clinical data. Recommended for Sport-Related Concussion (SRC), Concussion/Mild TBI studies.
 
Core: Sport-Related Concussion (SRC)
 
Core: One of Core Symptoms Checklists should be collected: Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM), Axon Sports Computerized Cognitive Assessment Tool (CCAT), Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (Child-SCAT), Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), Post Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI), Post Concussion Symptoms Scale (PCSS), Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT-3) or (SCAT-5), Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC), or Rivermead Post-Concussive Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ)
 
Basic: Concussion/Mild TBI
 
Supplemental: Acute/Hospitalized, Moderate/Severe TBI and Epidemiology TBI
Short Description of Instrument
The Rivermead Post-Concussive Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) is a 16-item self-report measure of the presence and severity of the 16 most commonly reported post-concussive symptoms found in the literature. The scale compares any current symptoms to pre-injury symptom levels to account for potential symptom exacerbation due to TBI.
 
Sport-Related Concussion Specific:
 
This test can be delivered soon after mild traumatic brain injury (ED), and is well tolerated due to its simplicity.
 
Advantages: The RPQ is a longstanding measure used in studies of mild TBI. It allows for separate analysis of emotional and somatic symptoms, therefore it may be used to monitor changes longitudinally. The scale can be used to account for potential exacerbation of symptoms due to return to activity.
 
Limitations: none found if administered in the acute phase. Some question has been posed about its psychometric characteristics. Does not have a parent companion measure. Does not include younger children. Has not been used in sport concussion research.
 
Highly Recommended for Adult and pediatric concussed athletes, in the first 72 hrs and to repeat after return to play.
Age Range: 8-18
Scoring
The range of scores is 0–64. Values for each of the 16 items include 0 (not experienced at all), 1 (no more of a problem than before the injury), 2 (mild problem), 3 (moderate problem), 4 (severe problem). The total score is a summation of symptoms rated as > 2 indicating post-concussion symptoms that represent new symptom onset or an exacerbation of a symptom present pre-injury.
Scoring and Psychometric Properties
The range of scores is 0-64. Values for each of the 16 items include 0 (not experienced at all), 1 (no more of a problem than before the injury), 2 (mild problem), 3 (moderate problem), 4 (severe problem). The total score is a summation of symptoms rated as > 2 indicating post-concussion symptoms that represent new symptom onset or an exacerbation of a symptom present pre-injury.
 
The RPQ provides a brief assessment of post-concussive symptoms, can be used for diagnostic and severity purposes, and can be used to monitor change in response to treatment. The RPQ would be most useful in assessing post-concussion symptoms in persons with mild to moderate TBI, but has also been used with more severely injured patients.
Psychometric Properties
The RPQ provides a brief assessment of post-concussive symptoms, can be used for diagnostic and severity purposes, and can be used to monitor change in response to treatment. The RPQ would be most useful in assessing post-concussion symptoms in persons with mild to moderate TBI, but has also been used with more severely injured patients.
References
King NS, Crawford S, Wenden FJ, Moss NE, Wade DT. The Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire: a measure of symptoms commonly experienced after head injury and its reliability. J Neurol. 1995;242(9):587-592.
 
Kristman VL, Brison RJ, BÉdard M, Reguly P, Chisholm S. Prognostic Markers for Poor Recovery After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Older Adults: A Pilot Cohort Study. J Head Trauma Rehabil. 2016;31(6):E33-E43.
 
Potter S, Leigh E, Wade D, Fleminger S. The Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire: a confirmatory factor analysis. J Neurol. 2006;253(12):1603-1614.
 
Document last updated January 2022