Raising Concussion Awareness and Integrating ImPACT Testing at Uintah High School

The incidence of concussions has doubled in the past decade. Emerging research on concussion recovery time is now finding that after physical symptoms have resolved, cognitive recovery time may be significantly longer than many athletic trainers and physicians assumed. Research suggests that neurological exams alone may not be sensitive enough to detect subtle changes that may occur with a concussion such as reaction time, attention, memory, and the ability to process information quickly. Relying on young athletes to report symptoms may not be reliable. Studies report that high school athletes were more likely to under-report symptoms and return to play prematurely. Computerized neuropsychological screening tools (i.e., ImPACT testing) have been developed to assess subtle changes of concussions. Baseline testing is performed before the season and repeat testing is performed should a concussion occur. Testing is not utilized as a primary diagnostic tool, but to evaluate the athlete after reported concussive symptoms have subsided. Neuropsychological testing also helps to quantify the injury so that it is no longer based on subjective data.