Current trends in athletic training practice for concussion assessment and management

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurology
• Athletic Training

Background:

• A 1999 survey revealed a lack of consensus among athletic trainers regarding concussion grading scales and return-to-play (RTP) criteria.
• Most athletic trainers relied on clinical examination or symptom checklists for concussion evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate current trends in concussion assessment and management among certified athletic trainers.
• To evaluate compliance with the National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) position statement on sport-related concussion.

Main Methods:

• A 32-question Internet survey was distributed to 2750 randomly selected certified athletic trainers and NATA members.
• Survey topics included years of certification, concussion evaluation frequency, assessment methods, RTP guidelines, and adherence to the NATA position statement.

Main Results:

• Certified athletic trainers averaged 9.9 years of experience and evaluated 8.2 concussions annually.
• The clinical examination (95%) and symptom checklists (85%) were the most common assessment tools.
• Only 3% of trainers complied with the NATA position statement advocating for symptom checklists, neuropsychological testing, and balance testing.

Conclusions:

• A small percentage of certified athletic trainers currently follow established NATA guidelines for concussion management.
• While various assessment methods are used, a combination of tools is necessary for effective concussion management and adherence to guidelines.