BASELINE
TESTING
A concussion itself is NOT dangerous BUT what IS dangerous is the mismanagement of a concussion.Reliance on symptoms alone especially with young athletes is dangerous. Returning an athlete back to play too early IS dangerous. If you suspect a possible concussion do NOT let yourself or your child return to play until they have been evaluated by a clinic specializing in concussions. Baseline testing is a key to a faster and safer return to play.
A basic test will require approximately 30 minutes in clinic. A comprehensive baseline evaluation will require approximately 90-120 minutes in clinic. The tests are not indicative of intelligence or anything beyond a baseline of how the brain normally functions. For this reason there are no reports or summaries provided at the end of the test. However if any problems are found such as binocular vision problems or vestibular dysfunction we will provide a consultation to parents to discuss what was found and what are the recommended action steps.
If your child is concussed and it is NOT feasible to return to our clinic for testing and examination, we will ask for a standard medical release signed by the parents/legal guardian and we will provide baseline testing details to your chosen health care practitioner at no charge. Please contact us for more information on pricing.
Establish a pre-injury cognitive baseline
- ImPACT Test
- NeuroTracker
- Binocular Vision Screen
- Vestibular Screen
- Ocular Motor Screen
- Musculoskeletal Testing
Please CLICK above for more information
ImPACT Test
ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the first, most-widely used, and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system. It is part of baseline testing and concussion management with every single major sport within North America. It is a standard within MLB and MLB umpires are not allowed to step onto a field without an ImPACT baseline.
It’s a 20-minute test that has become a standard tool used in comprehensive clinical management of concussions for athletes of all ages. The ImPACT test is done in a clinical supervised setting using a computer.
The test includes a demographic and concussion history questionnaire which is factored into the final report. The questionnaire is followed by a symptom evaluation/scale. The primary body of the test measures 8 neurocognitive functions including; verbal memory, visual memory, reaction time and processing speed. The test has built in baseline validity checks to minimize false scores. There are currently over 125 peer reviewed studies on ImPACT test since 2000.
NeuroTracker
NeuroTracker is a breakthrough neuroscience technology for improving attention and awareness – the system uses ‘3D multiple object tracking’ across a wide field of view to isolate and train several cognitive skills. The user sits or
stands in front of a large 3D display and follows several moving targets while ignoring distractors.
A NeuroTracker baseline involves 3 trials each consisting of 20 repetitions lasting 8 seconds. Each trial lasts approximately 6 minutes. Between each trial the athlete is given a 5-6 minute rest. The testing is done using proprietary software and using 3D virtual technology.
NeuroTracker isolates, trains and tests the high-level mental resources that are necessary for the perception of complex movement in a dynamic sports environment. These perceptual-cognitive resources are known be sensitive to concussion-related damage, particularly during late recovery stages when impairments are measureable but the patient is otherwise symptom free and feeling normal. For this reason combined with the reality that NeuroTracker is a direct objective measurement of brain function and processing speed, NeuroTracker is an ideal baseline measurement in any concussion program. A baseline session lasts approximately 30-40 minutes
Training stimulates neurological adaptations for rapid improvements in many areas of cognitive performance including:
- Attention (mental focus, concentration & awareness)
- Executive function (including working memory)
- Biological motion perception (reading body movements).
Accurate data allows reliable measurements of perceptual cognitive improvement following injury or illness.
What else does NeuroTracker help with?
• All daily cognitive activities which involve concentration and awareness
• Movement coordination – increased accuracy and response times
• Reading of body language and movement – safer walking in crowds and better social awareness
• Driving skills – better peripheral vision, reactions and awareness for safer driving
• Confidence – increased sense of assurance for cognitive and physical competence.
Research has Shown that Completing…
12-30 NeuroTracker sessions each 5-6 minutes in length = 1.5-3 hours total training time produces improvements in human cognitive function among healthy subjects (18-75 years old) 1-4 and athletes 5-8
Binocular Vision Test
It is estimated that 25% of the population has an undiagnosed binocular vision problem that can either affect athletic performance, academics or both. Current concussion research has also demonstrated that those with binocular vision problems are also more vulnerable to complications from head shots and/or concussions. For this reason we include a functional binocular vision screen in our comprehensive baseline testing and post concussion management. Our screen is done through a combination of physical examination and computerized testing of the eyes.
If problems are found in our screen, clients will be referred out to an eye specialist who can better evaluate the root cause of the problem and render treatment to eliminate the dysfunction.
Ocular Motor Screen
Oculomotor means eye movement. An oculomotor evaluation tests and measures how and when an individual’s eyes move in response to images, light, moving objects and head motion. Not only does this serve as an important aspect of comprehensive baseline testing, but problems with this aspect of function pre-dispose individuals to problematic recovery from a concussion. If problems are found during the evaluation, appropriate referral and/or treatment can be given.
Vestibular Test
Vestibular testing helps to determine if there is something wrong with the vestibular (balance) portion of the inner ear. These tests especially in combination with Occulomotor testing provide important baseline information in comprehensive pre-concussion testing. In addition problems with vestibular function can predispose individuals to more severe concussions. If problems are found, appropriate referral and/or treatment can be given.
Musculoskeletal Testing
We perform a comprehensive spinal and postural evaluation as a standard protocol of baseline testing.
