The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool: a systematic review

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurology
• Clinical Assessment

Background:

• Sport-related concussion (SRC) recognition and diagnosis are critical for athlete safety.
• The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) was developed as an objective sideline assessment.
• The SCAT has undergone revisions, with the SCAT3 being the most recent iteration.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) and its supporting evidence.
• To update the understanding of the SCAT's utility in diagnosing sport-related concussions.
• To identify areas for future research and potential revisions of the SCAT.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of English-language articles published between 1995 and October 2015.
• Searched 4 electronic databases adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
• Included studies reporting quantitative data on SCAT, Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC), or modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS) in athletes over 13 years old.

Main Results:

• 36 studies met inclusion criteria from 549 abstracts and 105 full-text articles.
• Nineteen studies focused on SAC, 1 on mBESS, and 16 on full SCAT iterations.
• The majority of studies (56%) were prospective cohort studies, predominantly featuring male football players.

Conclusions:

• Further revisions to the SCAT are anticipated.
• The review supports continued in-depth study of the SCAT.
• Recommendations include exploring the SCAT's acute, diagnostic, and long-term applications in athletes.