Sensitivity of the concussion assessment battery

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurology
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Sports-related concussions require accurate assessment for safe athlete management.
• Current evaluation methods include symptom inventories, postural control tests, and neurocognitive examinations.
• The sensitivity of these tests is critical to prevent premature return-to-play and further injury.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the sensitivity of concussion-related symptoms, postural control, and neurocognitive functioning in collegiate athletes diagnosed with concussion.

Main Methods:

• A baseline concussion assessment battery (symptom inventory, postural control, neurocognitive assessment) was administered to high-risk athletes.
• Postconcussion assessments were conducted within 24 hours for 75 athletes with physician-diagnosed concussion.
• Sensitivity of individual tests and the complete battery to concussion was evaluated.

Main Results:

• Computerized neurocognitive tests (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, HeadMinder Concussion Resolution Index) showed the highest sensitivity (79.2%, 78.6%).
• Self-reported symptoms (68.0%), postural control evaluation (61.9%), and a brief neurocognitive assessment (43.5%) followed.
• The complete assessment battery demonstrated over 90% sensitivity in identifying concussions.

Conclusions:

• Recommended concussion assessment batteries effectively identify functional deficits in most concussed athletes.
• A multifaceted assessment approach, addressing distinct functional areas, is supported for sports-related concussion evaluation.
• These findings underscore the importance of comprehensive testing for accurate concussion diagnosis and management.