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Updated: Aug 3, 2026
A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
Post-concussion symptoms and clinical reaction time performance of athletes with a history of concussion
Jessica Coenen1,2, Saskia Henckert3, Hedda Lausberg3
1Department of Neurology, Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychiatry, Institute of Health Promotion and Clinical Movement Science, German Sport University (GSU) Cologne, Cologne, Germany - coenen@sportmed.uni-paderborn.de.
Background:
The symptom presentation after sport-related concussion is highly subjective, while the clinical test of reaction time (RT) has been presented as an objective tool to the effects of sport-related concussion. A multimodal assessment approach supports concussion management; therefore, it is appropriate to explore the relationship between modals. The aim of the present study is to investigate the relationship of clinical RT and post-concussion symptom (PCS) score, number of experienced concussions, and time since concussion.
Methods:
Based on retrospective concussion history, 53 athletes were selected for this study. Athletes were questioned using a standardized questionnaire to obtain concussion history data, such as number of cumulative concussions and date of most recent concussion. Symptom scores were gathered through Sport Concussion Assessment Tool. A clinical RT test was used to obtain RT data.
Results:
A significant positive correlation was found between RT and the PCS score. A linear regression revealed that the PCS score but neither the cumulative number of experienced concussions, nor the time post-concussion significantly predicts increased RT. Reaction time positively correlates with the symptoms neck pain, dizziness, balance problems, light sensitivity, feeling slowed down, feeling like in a fog, do not feel right, drowsiness, and irritability.
Conclusions:
This study presents that the PCS score particularly predicts increased RT after sport-related concussions. Furthermore, a specific set of symptoms significantly impacts the RT of athletes. The results suggest that not a single symptom drives the relationship between PCS score and RT, highlighting the heterogeneity of this injury.
