New, simple test for concussion

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http://www2.med.umich.edu/prmc/media/ne ... fm?ID=1488


February 15, 2010 Media contact: Jessica Soulliere
E-mail: jesssoul@umich.edu
Phone: 734-764-2220
Simple test may help judge concussion in athletes

ST. PAUL, Minn.—A simple test of reaction time may help determine whether athletes have sustained a concussion (also known as a mild traumatic brain injury) and when they are ready to play again, according to a study released today that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology’s 62nd Annual Meeting in Toronto April 10 - 17.

“Research has shown that reaction time is slower after a concussion—even as long as several days after other symptoms are gone,” says study author James T. Eckner, M.D., of the University of Michigan Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. “But the tests currently used to measure reaction time require computers and special software.”

Eckner and his colleagues developed a simple, inexpensive device to measure reaction time: a cylinder attached to a weighted disk. The examiner releases the device and the athlete catches it as soon as possible.

For the study, the researchers gave the test to 209 Division I college football, wrestling and women’s soccer athletes during their preseason physicals. Then any athlete who had a concussion diagnosed by a physician during the season took the test again within three days of the concussion.

Eight athletes had concussions during the study. Of those, seven of the athletes had a prolonged reaction time after the concussion compared to the preseason time. Catching the object took about 15 percent longer.

“Because of its simplicity and low cost, this test may work well with youth athletes, where there is limited access to computerized testing of reaction time,” Eckner says.


Co-authors: Jefferey Kutcher, M.D., U-M Neurology, director of Michigan NeuroSport and James Richardson, M.D., U-M PM&R.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 22,000 neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to promoting the highest quality patient-centered neurological care. A neurologist is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders of the brain and nervous system such as Parkinson’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), dementia, West Nile virus, and ataxia. For more information about the AmericanAcademy of Neurology and the AAN Annual Meeting, visit http://www.aan.com.

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From a press release written by:

Angela Babb, Media & Public Relations Manager, AAN
ababb@aan.com
651-695-2789

Rachel Seroka, Media & Public Relations Administrator, AAN
rseroka@aan.com
651-695-2738