The Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ)

Original Editor - Rucha Gadgil

Top Contributors - Rucha Gadgil, Kim Jackson, Chloe Waller, Nupur Smit Shah and Carina Therese Magtibay  

Introduction[edit | edit source]


The Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) is a simple, freely available, and widely used tool for assessment of the presence and severity of various post-concussion symptoms. The questionnaire was first published in 1995 to assess patients' psychosocial functioning post-concussion[1]. It contains 16 questions targeting physical, cognitive and behavioral domains. The RPQ Modified Scoring System (RPQ 13/ RPQ-3), was presented by Eyres et al in 2005[2].

Intended Population[edit | edit source]

Individuals showing symptoms of concussion after a head trauma/ brain injury.[3]

Method of Use[edit | edit source]

Equipment Required:

Questionnaire based: pen and paper

Training Required:

None

Time Required:

5-10 mins

Instrument[edit | edit source]

The questionnaire is a self-reported questionnaire containing 16 questions[1]. Patients are asked the severity of the following symptoms over the past 24 hours, compared to before the injury:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Noise sensitivity (easily upset by loud noise)
  • Sleep disturbance
  • Fatigue (tiring more easily)
  • Being irritable (easily angered)
  • Feeling depressed or tearful
  • Feeling frustrated or impatient
  • Forgetfulness (poor memory)
  • Poor concentration
  • Taking longer to think
  • Blurred vision
  • Light sensitivity (easily upset by bright light)
  • Double vision
  • Restlessness
  • Finally, there is the option to list and score any other difficulties.

Scoring:  

The responses are scored on a ordinal rating system from 0 - 4, where 0 = never experienced at all, 1 = no more of a problem, 2 = a mild problem, 3 = a moderate problem, and 4 = a severe problem[4].

In the modified version[5]:

RPQ-3: Score of first three questions, Scoring is 0-12; if there is a higher score on the RPQ-3, earlier reassessment and closer monitoring is recommended.

RPQ-13: Score of next 13 questions, Scoring is 0-52; later cluster of symptoms; greater impact on participation, psychosocial functioning and lifestyle.

Psychometric properties[edit | edit source]

Reliability[6][7]:

For Head Injury: Excellent test re-test reliability, Excellent inter-rater reliability.

For Mild TBI: Adequate test re-test reliability, Adequate inter-rater reliability.

Validity[8]:

Excellent validity with Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale.

Clinical Significance[edit | edit source]

The questionnaire can be repeated to monitor a patient’s progress over time with changes seen in severity of symptoms, or the range of symptoms. Management can be planned likewise[9].

Additional Information[edit | edit source]

Find Additional details here

Find the Questionnaire here

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 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 Sep;242(9):587-92.
  2. ↑ Eyres S, Carey A, Gilworth G, Neumann V, Tennant A. Construct validity and reliability of the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire. Clin Rehabil. 2005 Dec;19(8):878-87.
  3. ↑ Crawford S, Wenden FJ, Wade DT. The Rivermead head injury follow up questionnaire: a study of a new rating scale and other measures to evaluate outcome after head injury. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1996 May;60(5):510-4. doi: 10.1136/jnnp.60.5.510.
  4. ↑ Balalla S, Krägeloh C, Medvedev O, Siegert R. Is the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire a Reliable and Valid Measure to Assess Long-Term Symptoms in Traumatic Brain Injury and Orthopedic Injury Patients? A Novel Investigation Using Rasch Analysis. Neurotrauma Rep. 2020 Aug 11;1(1):63-72.
  5. ↑ Rehabilitative Care Alliance. Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire [Online]. Available from: https://mississaugahalton.rehabcareontario.ca/Uploads/ContentDocuments/Rivermead_Post_ConcussionSymptoms_Questionnaire_(RPC)1.pdf (Accessed 28/12/2022)
  6. ↑ King NS, Crawford S, Wenden FJ, Caldwell FE, Wade DT. Early prediction of persisting post-concussion symptoms following mild and moderate head injuries. Br J Clin Psychol. 1999 Mar;38(1):15-25. doi: 10.1348/014466599162638. 
  7. ↑ Asselstine J, Kristman VL, Armstrong JJ, Dewan N. The Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire score is associated with disability and self-reported recovery six months after mild traumatic brain injury in older adults. Brain Inj. 2020;34(2):195-202. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2019.1682670
  8. ↑ de Guise E, Bélanger S, Tinawi S, Anderson K, LeBlanc J, Lamoureux J, Audrit H, Feyz M. Usefulness of the rivermead postconcussion symptoms questionnaire and the trail-making test for outcome prediction in patients with mild traumatic brain injury. Appl Neuropsychol Adult. 2016;23(3):213-22. doi: 10.1080/23279095.2015.1038747. 
  9. ↑ Potter, S., Leigh, E., Wade, D., Fleminger, S. The Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire. Journal of Neurology, October 2006.1-12.
Retrieved from "https://www.physio-pedia.com/index.php?title=The_Rivermead_Post-Concussion_Symptoms_Questionnaire_(RPQ)&oldid=324049"