Concussion Testing
Overview
Concussion testing helps healthcare professionals check brain function after a possible head injury. These tools are important for evaluating both physical and mental skills. They focus on balance, memory, concentration, attention, and how quickly a person can think or solve problems.
Testing may also compare current skills with results collected before any injury, especially in athletes who often have baseline assessments at the start of a season. A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that can result from a blow, jolt, or impact to the head.
Not all head trauma leads to a concussion, and concussions might occur without a direct hit to the head. Signs and symptoms of concussion include headache, dizziness, confusion, and problems with memory or focus. The table below lists common signs and symptoms of concussion:
| Physical Symptoms | Cognitive Symptoms | Emotional Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Headache | Memory problems | Irritability |
| Dizziness | Trouble concentrating | Mood changes |
| Nausea or vomiting | Slowed thinking | Feeling anxious |
| Balance problems | Confusion | Sadness |
Health care experts use concussion tests as one part of diagnosing and managing mild traumatic brain injuries. These tools cannot rule out a concussion alone. If a concussion is suspected, a thorough medical exam is always necessary.
Purpose of Concussion Screening
Concussion screening checks how well a person’s brain works after a head injury. These tests look at memory, thinking skills, and reaction speed. Athletes may get a baseline test before the sports season starts to know their normal brain function.
Healthcare providers use question-based or computer-based tools. When a concussion happens, they compare results from after the injury to the baseline. This helps spot changes in brain function and track recovery.
Potential Hazards Linked to Concussion
Returning to sports or physical activity before full recovery from a concussion raises the chance of another head injury. Repeated concussions can make headaches, confusion, and other symptoms last longer or worsen over time.
Some research has examined whether several concussions cause lasting brain problems or changes, but findings are unclear. There is not enough proof to say repeated injuries will always lead to brain degeneration.
Certain groups—including children, teenagers, and female athletes—may need more time to recover after a concussion. They might also face a higher likelihood of getting another concussion compared to others.
Common Signs That May Get Worse
- Headache
- Confusion
- Loss of consciousness (fainting or blacking out)
- Feeling sick to the stomach
- Trouble remembering things
Anyone who suffers a concussion should see a healthcare provider with experience in treating brain injuries. Before returning to sports, athletes should follow a step-by-step plan. This plan includes slowly adding more activity and only moving to the next step if no symptoms return.
| Step | Goal |
|---|---|
| Rest | Wait for symptoms to improve |
| Light activity | Handling short walks or easy tasks |
| Sport-specific exercise | Low-impact drills under guidance |
| Non-contact training | More complex moves without contact |
| Full practice | Return to regular training |
| Return to game | Resume full participation |
Athletes must complete all steps without headache, confusion, or other symptoms before going back to full play.
What You Can Expect
Pre-Injury Evaluation
Before the sports season starts, many athletes take part in a pre-injury brain function test. Health care professionals often use a computer, tablet, or phone to administer these tests, which feel much like playing a game. These screening tools measure skills such as memory, attention, and response speed.
Key Points
- Baseline tests allow health care professionals to understand an athlete’s normal brain function.
- Tools used might include both digital games and simple paper-and-pencil tasks.
- If no baseline test is done, doctors can still help by comparing results to averages for the same age group or by checking brain function once the athlete recovers.
A quick overview of pre-injury evaluation:
| Tool Type | What It Checks | Common Users |
|---|---|---|
| Computer/tablet | Memory, speed, focus | Athletes, students |
| Paper-and-pencil | Attention, recall | Athletes, students |
Steps Following a Brain Impact
If an athlete has a possible brain injury, health care providers conduct a set of checks. They may administer a computerized or paper concussion exam again and compare the results to the baseline if possible. Providers might repeat testing over several days or weeks to track changes.
What Happens Next
- A healthcare provider performs a physical check, which may include testing balance, eye movements, and coordination.
- The athlete answers questions and completes tasks that check memory, problem-solving, and attention.
- These tests help track recovery and show when brain function returns to normal.
Symptoms, test results, and a doctor’s exam all guide decisions about when returning to normal activity is safe.
Findings
Athletes should not go back to sports or physical activities until all concussion symptoms have fully cleared. Even when tests show brain function has returned to normal, lingering symptoms can remain for some people.
Recovery time is different for everyone. Common symptoms like headaches, dizziness, or trouble with memory can last longer in some cases. Healthcare teams carefully look at a person’s medical history and current symptoms.
They use tools like neurological exams, which measure balance, memory, and other brain functions. If symptoms do not go away, further visits or advanced testing might be needed. Sometimes, a table or list is used to track the status of symptoms over time:
| Symptom Type | Improved | Ongoing |
|---|---|---|
| Headache | ✓ | |
| Dizziness | ✓ | |
| Memory | ✓ |
Healthcare providers also give guidance about when to return to school or everyday activities.
