ImPACT Program (Concussion Testing for Athletes)

About ImPACT Testing

The ImPACT baseline assessments are individual computerized tests, set up “video-game” style that take about 20 minutes.  The ImPACT test measures reaction time, verbal and visual memory, symptoms, and cognitive functioning including attention span, memory and non-verbal problem solving.  It is not an IQ test.

The tests are non-invasive and pose no risk to the test-taker.

Baseline assessments are recommended for all students involved in contact/collision sports.

Student athletes who suffer concussions will be administered a follow-up test to determine whether they are ready to return to the game.  The follow-up test is a tool to help your student’s doctor assess their readiness to return to play.

Repeated concussions – without allowing time for the brain and body to heal – has been shown to lead to cognitive impairment later in life. Sports are the second leading cause of brain injury among young adults 15-24 according to the Centers for Disease Control.  The NFL and NHL both recommend more stringent policies for student athletes.

The ImPACT program provides the best information for managing concussions and preventing potential brain damage that can occur with multiple concussions.

More information is available on the ImPACT website. Click here to read more http://impacttest.com/faq

Concussion Symptoms

Concussion symptoms can range from mild to severe and the effects of multiple concussions can be cumulative if student athletes are not allowed to heal.

Symptoms can include*:

• Altered level of consciousness (drowsy, hard to arouse, or similar changes)
• Confusion, feeling spacey, or not thinking straight
• Headache
• Loss of consciousness
• Memory loss (amnesia) of events before the injury or immediately after
• Nausea and vomiting
• Seeing flashing lights
• Feeling like you have "lost time"

The following are emergency symptoms of a concussion. Seek immediate medical care if there are:

• Changes in alertness and consciousness
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Muscle weakness on one or both sides
• Persistent confusion
• Persistent unconsciousness (coma)
• Repeated vomiting
• Unequal pupils
• Unusual eye movements
• Walking problems

*http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001802/

Get medical help immediately if the person:

• Becomes unusually drowsy
• Behaves abnormally
• Develops a severe headache or stiff neck
• Loses consciousness, even briefly
• Vomits more than once

For a moderate to severe head injury, take the following steps:

1. Call 911.
2. Check the person's airway, breathing, and circulation. If necessary, begin rescue breathing and CPR.
3. If the person's breathing and heart rate are normal but the person is unconscious, treat as if there is a spinal injury. Stabilize the head and neck by placing your hands on both sides of the person's head, keeping the head in line with the spine and preventing movement. Wait for medical help.
4. Stop any bleeding by firmly pressing a clean cloth on the wound. If the injury is serious, be careful not to move the person's head. If blood soaks through the cloth, do NOT remove it. Place another cloth over the first one.
5. If you suspect a skull fracture, do NOT apply direct pressure to the bleeding site, and do NOT remove any debris from the wound. Cover the wound with sterile gauze dressing.
6. If the person is vomiting, roll the head, neck, and body as one unit to prevent choking. This still protects the spine, which you must always assume is injured in the case of a head injury. (Children often vomit once after a head injury. This may not be a problem, but call a doctor for further guidance.)
7. Apply ice packs to swollen areas.

For a mild head injury, no specific treatment may be needed. However, closely watch the person for any concerning symptoms over the next 24 hours. The symptoms of a serious head injury can be delayed. While the person is sleeping, wake him or her every 2 to 3 hours and ask simple questions to check alertness, such as "What is your name?"

If a child begins to play or run immediately after getting a bump on the head, serious injury is unlikely. However, as with anyone with a head injury, closely watch the child for 24 hours after the incident.
Over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen, may be used for a mild headache. Do NOT take aspirin, ibuprofen, or other anti-inflammatory medications because they can increase the risk of bleeding.

DO NOT

• Do NOT wash a head wound that is deep or bleeding a lot.
• Do NOT remove any object sticking out of a wound.
• Do NOT move the person unless absolutely necessary.
• Do NOT shake the person if he or she seems dazed.
• Do NOT remove a helmet if you suspect a serious head injury.
• Do NOT pick up a fallen child with any sign of head injury.
• Do NOT drink alcohol within 48 hours of a serious head injury.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Call 911 if:

• There is severe head or facial bleeding
• The person is confused, drowsy, lethargic, or unconscious
• The person stops breathing
• You suspect a serious head or neck injury, or the person develops any signs or symptoms of a serious head injury

Prevention

• Always use safety equipment during activities that could result in head injury. These include seat belts, bicycle or motorcycle helmets, and hard hats.
• Obey traffic signals when riding a bicycle. Be predictable so that other drivers will be able to determine your course.
• Be visible. Do NOT ride a bicycle at night unless you wear bright, reflective clothing and have proper headlamps and flashers.
• Use age-appropriate car seats or boosters for babies and young children.
• Make sure that children have a safe area in which to play.
• Supervise children of any age.
• Do NOT drink and drive, and do NOT allow yourself to be driven by someone whom you know or suspect has been drinking alcohol or is otherwise impaired.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000028.htm