Does a 20 minute cognitive task increase concussion symptoms in concussed athletes?

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neuroscience
• Neurology

Background:

• Concussion is a common brain injury in athletes.
• Neurocognitive testing is frequently used to assess concussion recovery.
• The impact of cognitive testing on symptom exacerbation is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether concussion symptoms intensify immediately after computerized neurocognitive testing.
• To evaluate symptom changes 20 minutes post-ImPACT test in athletes with concussion.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 165 athletes diagnosed with concussion.
• Participants completed the Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) and Post-concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS).
• Symptom assessments were conducted at baseline, 3, and 10 days post-injury, with an additional PCSS administered 20 minutes after ImPACT at 3 and 10 days.

Main Results:

• Athletes reported increased headache, nausea, dizziness, sadness, mental fog, and visual problems 3 days post-injury following the ImPACT test.
• At 10 days post-injury, increased sadness and memory difficulties were noted after cognitive testing.
• Neurocognitive impairments, including verbal and visual memory deficits and slowed reaction time and motor processing speed, were observed at 3 and 10 days post-concussion.

Conclusions:

• Computerized cognitive testing may transiently exacerbate concussion symptoms.
• Clinicians should ensure athletes are symptom-free before and after cognitive assessments.
• This finding underscores the importance of comprehensive symptom monitoring during concussion recovery.