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Journal of neurosciences in rural practice2022; 14(1); 161-164; doi: 10.25259/JNRP-2022-3-14

A retrospective study of helmet use and head injury in severe equestrian trauma.

Abstract: The aim of the study was to examine helmet use, incidence of injury, and patient outcomes in a rural cohort of equestrian accidents. Unassigned: EHR records of patients admitted to a Level II ACS trauma center in the North-west United States were reviewed for helmet use. Injuries were categorized according to International Classification of Diseases-9/10 code. Unassigned: Of 53 identified cases, helmets only reduced superficial injury (χ (1) = 4.837, = 0.028). Intracranial injury rates were not different between those with and without helmets ( > 0.05). Unassigned: In equine related injury, helmets protect against superficial injury but not intracranial injury in Western riders. More investigation is needed to assess why this is the case and determine ways to decrease intracranial injury.
© 2023 Published by Scientific Scholar on behalf of Journal of Neurosciences in Rural Practice.
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Publication Date: 2022-12-02 PubMed ID: 36891097PubMed Central: PMC9944309DOI: 10.25259/JNRP-2022-3-14Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research investigated the impact of helmet use on both superficial and intracranial injuries among horse riders, finding that while helmets appear to reduce superficial injuries, they do not significantly protect against intracranial injuries. The study calls for further research into why this is, and how intracranial injuries can be reduced.

Research Methodology

  • The study retrospectively examined electronic health records (EHR) of patients admitted to a Level II American College of Surgeons (ACS) trauma center in the North-west United States.
  • The trauma cases studied were specifically tied to incidents involving equestrian accidents within a rural cohort.
  • Injuries were classified based on the International Classification of Diseases-9/10 code to identify the severity and type of injury.

Key Findings

  • A total of 53 equestrian accident cases were identified and studied.
  • The study found that the use of helmets significantly reduced the incidence of superficial injuries with an associated chi-square (χ) value of 4.837 and a statistically significant p-value ( = 0.028 ).
  • However, the rate of intracranial injuries was not found to be significantly different between those who wore helmets and those who did not. The p-value was greater than 0.05, indicating no statistical significance.

Implications

  • The results of the study indicate that while helmets have a protective effect against superficial head injuries in equine-related incidents, they do not seem to offer substantial protection against intracranial injuries in Western riders.
  • This unexpected finding suggests that there are additional factors at play that are yet to be fully understood. Therefore, more investigation is required to assess the reasons behind this and to identify strategies to decrease intracranial injury in equestrian accidents.

Cite This Article

APA
Carter BT, Richardson MD. (2022). A retrospective study of helmet use and head injury in severe equestrian trauma. J Neurosci Rural Pract, 14(1), 161-164. https://doi.org/10.25259/JNRP-2022-3-14

Publication

Journal of neurosciences in rural practice
ISSN: 0976-3147
NlmUniqueID: 101533710
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 14
Issue: 1
Pages: 161-164

Researcher Affiliations

Carter, Benjamin T
  • Collaborative Science and Innovation, Billings Clinic, Montana, United States.
Richardson, M Dustin
  • Department of Neurosurgery, Billings Clinic, Montana, United States.

Conflict of Interest Statement

There are no conflicts of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Crawford AE, Picken LK, Gabriel FD, Quade J, Gould S. CNS and Thorax Injury and Associated Risks Factors in Equestrian Sports. Sports Health 2025 Jul;17(4):697-702.
    doi: 10.1177/19417381241275655pubmed: 39206526google scholar: lookup
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