Updated May 22 2021
The simplest definition of a concussion baseline test is a series of physical and cognitive tests that measure healthy brain function before a sports season starts – and prior to an injury. In the event of a concussion, the results of these tests can be used as a comparison to help your healthcare provider make return-to-sport decisions.
Symptoms disappearing or going away after a concussion is considered a poor indication of brain recovery. If a concussed athlete shows no more symptoms, this does not mean that they have fully recovered from their concussion.
A concussion causes disturbances in brain cells, changes in blood flow to the brain, and a number of other functional issues.[1,2] Research shows that prior to full recovery from a concussion, the brain is very vulnerable. Even smaller impacts could cause another concussion, which could result in severe brain injury or, in rare cases, death.[3,4]
The safest thing that a concussed athlete can do is avoid returning to high-risk sports until after they have fully recovered from their concussion; not just from their symptoms, but also from a brain function standpoint.[5,6,7]
When properly used and interpreted, a concussion baseline test can add useful information to the management of concussions by giving healthcare practitioners insight into an athlete’s individualized pre-injury function and abilities. Simply, we have a better understanding of an athlete’s healthy state and what type of results they should achieve when fully recovered.
Having access to these test scores after a concussion injury can provide healthcare practitioners with a set of personalized, objective data that could be used to make more informed and safer return to play decisions for an injured athlete.
Baseline testing is more than just a computerized neurocognitive test (NCT). As NCT’s are proven to be insufficient on their own, and can have reliability and validity issues. [5,6,7,8,9,10]
A multi-modal, comprehensive baseline test has many tests, which has shown to have better reliability and utility.
This is why Complete Concussion Management has built our baseline test battery around a comprehensive series of tests, which includes concussion and medical history, symptom score, orientation, auditory memory, concentration, visual tracking and processing speed, balance, postural sway, reaction time, delayed recall, neurocognitive testing and more. A similar protocol is endorsed in the National Concussion Guidelines for Athletes released by the Canadian Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
The more tests, the better. Experts continue to agree that no one test is sufficient to detect the full spectrum of concussion. In fact, multimodal baseline testing is now recommended or considered to be a helpful tool by the following medical groups:
No. We don’t yet recommend baseline testing for athletes younger than 10 years old as they tend to change quite rapidly over time and most of the concussion tests available have only been validated in athletes over 10. Furthermore, although concussions can happen anywhere, athletes who play sports with a low risk of concussion (swimming, golf, tennis, etc.) would have to consider whether baseline testing adds enough value given their relatively low risk of concussion injury.
The rule of thumb to consider whether baseline concussion testing is right for you is:
Are you over the age of 10 and do you participate in a collision or high-speed sport?
Interested in learning more or want to book a comprehensive baseline test? Contact a Complete Concussion Management clinic near you.
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