Concussion Tests: Why and How They're Used & When to See a Doctor

Table of Content

• Evaluating the injury
• Mississippi State Football Coach Mike Leach Airlifted To Hospital
• This 2-Minute Test Helps Parents Easily Figure Out If A Child Has A Concussion
• IMPROVE YOUR CONCUSSION CARE
• Touching World Cup Moment As Heartbroken Neymar Comforted By Son Of Croatian Player
• What is a concussion eye test?
• What’s the recovery process like for a concussion?

The computerized or pencil-and-paper concussion tests check for problems with thinking and memory. You may be tested to determine how quickly you can answer a question or solve a problem, your ability to remember things, and how well you can concentrate and pay attention. This test may be repeated often, especially in younger athletes whose brains develop and change over time. Some athletes may need a baseline concussion test each year, with neuropsychological testing more often if they've had a concussion or have another medical condition. You don’t necessarily look forward to it every year, but you’re glad you did it because you have peace of mind.

If the concussion test plus any other findings show you've had a concussion, your healthcare provider will discuss a recovery plan. For example, you might be with your parent when they fall and bump their head or with your child when they fall off their bike and hit their head. Collecting information immediately after a fall will not only be helpful when you first see your provider, but also while you’re caring for your loved one after they return home from their examination.

Evaluating the injury

While this quiz will give you some insight into your current conditions, your results are only as good as your answers. It is not a substitute for seeing a doctor and is not official medical advice. If you’re experiencing any of the signs of severe traumatic brain injury , seek medical attention immediately. Otherwise, feel free to use this quiz as a starting point to determine if you need further care. Also note that, while we may record your responses, it is not linked with any personally-identifying information. Healthcare providers, athletic trainers and coaches use concussion tests to evaluate brain function before and after a head injury.

Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. During this time, you may experience reduced motor skills which can affect day-to-day movements. The timeline for recovery depends on how severe the concussion is.

Mississippi State Football Coach Mike Leach Airlifted To Hospital

During the recovery period, it’s possible to experience irritation, headaches, and concentration difficulties. You may also need to avoid high-impact sports and operating heavy machinery. Babies who sustain head injuries should be evaluated by a pediatrician. Take your baby to the hospital right away if they’re unconscious. It’s important to see a doctor if you suspect someone has had a concussion.

If the athlete completes the test five seconds slower than the first time they took the test, they may have a concussion. This test has also been called the 1-minute concussion test or the 2-minute concussion test. One commonly held myth is that a concussion happens only if you lose consciousness.

This 2-Minute Test Helps Parents Easily Figure Out If A Child Has A Concussion

Meanwhile, young athletes who were not concussed actually finished 6.4 seconds faster, perhaps because childhood is a phase of such rapid brain development. The King-Devick test, as it’s called, was originally developed in the 1970s as a way to detect dyslexia. List key medical information, including other medical problems for which you or your child is being treated and any history of previous head injuries. Also write down the names of any medications, vitamins, supplements or other natural remedies you or your child is taking. For children with suspected concussion, CT scans are only used if there are specific criteria met, such as the type of injury or signs of a skull fracture.

Baseline testing should be part of your annual self-care moving forward. Head to BaselineTesting.com to learn more and to take your own baseline concussion test at home. ImPACT Baseline Test is FDA cleared and can be taken at home, so you can take it after school, work, or on a weekend. It even feels kind of like a brain game, so you’re engaged and challenged the whole time. The best part about baseline testing is you being prepared for a concussion because they can happen to everyone. We’ve talked a lot about taking a baseline concussion test at home.

IMPROVE YOUR CONCUSSION CARE

Recovery typically takes between a week and 10 days, but the amount of time can vary depending on the severity of the concussion and other factors. Occasionally patients can have symptoms that linger for months necessitating close follow-up by a concussion specialist. Because some people experience symptoms such as blurry vision, nausea, lightheadedness, balance problems, headaches while exercising, and so forth, exercise after a concussion can be difficult. Post-concussion syndrome is a condition where your concussion symptoms last longer than the normal recovery time. In the case of a coma, call 911 and seek emergency medical attention.

Concussion tests may be useful for determining any next steps. For example, a loved one who exhibits confusion and difficulty walking after a fall may need further evaluation from a doctor. Concussion tests are primarily used for determining whether an individual’s symptoms after an injury have affected the brain. If you continue to play or return to play too early after a concussion, there is a significant risk of another concussion. A second concussion sustained while the initial concussion is healing can result in fatal brain swelling . This test collects information about the event, concussion signs and symptoms and includes a version of the SAC test information.

The results of concussion tests and other tests allow for early diagnosis and management of concussion, which will help you recover faster and may prevent further injury. These types of concussion tests are mostly performed on student athletes. Student athletes who play in contact sports usually undergo a baseline concussion test before the start of their season. This questionnaire measures normal brain function in areas including memory, speed of thinking and attention.

Be aware of any pre-appointment restrictions or instructions. The most important thing for you to do while waiting for your appointment is to avoid activities that cause or worsen your symptoms. Avoid sports or vigorous physical activities and minimize difficult, stressful or prolonged mental tasks. At the time you make the appointment, ask what steps you or your child should take to encourage recovery or prevent re-injury.

What is a concussion eye test?

Concussion tests are one of the tools to help doctors determine when your brain function has returned to normal. Doctors may use this along with other tests to decide when you may be able to safely resume normal activities. You may have another computerized concussion test after a concussion. Depending on your performance on the computerized test and comparison to baseline testing , you may repeat the test several times for up to a few weeks.

If you get a head injury and suspect you have a concussion. DO NOT take this test if you have recently sustained a head injury and/or are currently experiencing symptoms. A new systematic review published this fall found evidence that there is a simple test that parents and coaches can use to tell if a player has suffered a minor concussion. Gradually resume your normal daily activities, including screen time, as you're able to tolerate them without significantly worsening symptoms.

Your doctor may recommend different therapies as well, such as rehabilitation for vision, rehabilitation for balance problems, or cognitive rehabilitation for problems with thinking and memory. Your doctor will evaluate your signs and symptoms, review your medical history, and conduct a neurological examination. Signs and symptoms of a concussion may not appear until hours or days after the injury. Medical professionals have access to an athlete’s baseline test and can monitor concussion recovery of concussed athletes. They can document care plans and communicate with coaches, athletes, and their parents.