Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

Tim Lee, MHA, MS, ATCCoordinator, VSCC

Concussion Baseline Testing

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

What is baseline testing?

• Baseline testing is a series of standardized exams used to assess an athlete’s balance, brain function, and symptoms.

• Results of the baseline test can be used to compare to a follow-up exam if the athlete has a suspected concussion

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

What is included in VSCC baseline testing?

875-8722Clinical Visit

• Neurologic history• Symptoms Checklist• Modified Balance Error Scoring System

(mBESS)• ImPACT (Immediate Post Concussion

Assessment and Cognitive Testing)Test

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

What is included in VSCC baseline testing?

• On-Site/Mass Testing

• Symptoms Checklist

• ImPACT (Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing)Test

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

VSCC Neurological History

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

Symptoms Checklist

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

Consent Form

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

mBESS Testing

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

ImPACT Test• Module 1: Word Discrimination• Module 2: Design Memory• Module 3: X’s and O’s• Module 4: Symbol Matching• Module 5: Color Match• Module 6: Three Letter Memory_______________________________________________These subtests yield scores in Verbal Memory, Visual Memory, Visual Motor (Processing) Speed, and Reaction Time

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

When should an athlete be baseline tested?

• Pre-season, before contact

• Currently, ages 12

years old up.

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

How often should an athlete be baseline tested?

• Every 2 years• Unless an athlete

has suffered a concussion, new ADD/ADHD, or a learning disability diagnosis.

• mBESS and symptoms checklists should be

performed yearly.

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

Who should administer the baseline test?

• A trained healthcare professional (MD, DO, ATC, PhD, PT)

• The testing environment should be quiet and free from distractions

• Computer-based testing should not be performed at home or anywhere without supervision

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

Who should interpret the test results?

• A healthcare professional trained in concussion management

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

What are we looking for in these tests after a concussion?

• We are expecting that the athlete’s test scores on all the measures will have returned to the baseline values.

• This would indicate that the athlete has most likely recovered from the concussion.

Vanderbilt Sports Concussion Center

Concussion Baseline Testing for All Now Available

timothy.lee@vanderbilt.edu---------------------------------------------------------------

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A concussion is an urgent medical problem and we strive to evaluate patients within 72

hours of injury. Call us to make an appointment.

(615) 875-VSCC (8722)