Sport-Related Concussion Recovery in Athletes

• Study Description This study aims to enhance the accuracy of concussion evaluation and improve return-to-play decisions for athletes recovering from sport-related concussions. By incorporating both traditional assessment tools and advanced neuroimaging technology, such as Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), this research seeks to refine how concussions are diagnosed and monitored.
• Who is Participating?

College athletes will be recruited as part of their routine concussion baseline testing. Participants will include:

• Athletes diagnosed with a sport-related concussion by healthcare providers.
• Matched control athletes who have not sustained a concussion, assessed on the same schedule as concussed athletes.
• Contact and non-contact sport athletes who have not experienced head injuries, tested before and after the season.
• How is the Study Conducted?

Testing occurs at four key time points:

• Pre-Season (Baseline): Athletes complete a series of tests to establish their normal cognitive and physical function before any injuries occur.
• Post-Injury (Within 72 Hours and Asymptomatic): If an athlete sustains a concussion, they undergo assessments shortly after the injury to measure its immediate effects.
• Return-to-Play: Once the athlete has completed the necessary recovery steps and is cleared to return to play, they are reassessed to evaluate their recovery progress.
• Re-Baseline (Six Months Post-Injury): Concussed athletes undergo follow- up testing at least six months after the injury to assess long-term recovery and determine whether any persistent neurophysiological changes remain.
• What is Being Measured?

This study utilizes a comprehensive concussion evaluation approach that includes:

• Sideline assessments (e.g., Sports Concussion Assessment Tool [SCAT])
• Computerized neurocognitive testing (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing)
• Objective balance tests (NeuroCom VSR Sport)
• Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Screening (VOMS)
• Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity non-invasively
• Clinical symptom tracking and medical history review
• Why is This Study Important? The data collected will contribute to a robust database aimed at improving concussion assessment methods. By integrating fNIRS with standard concussion tests, this research seeks to enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve the ability to track recovery, and ensure a safer return to play for athletes. Additionally, the inclusion of a re-baseline assessment at six months post-injury will provide valuable insight into the long-term effects of concussion, informing future guidelines for concussion management. Ultimately, these findings could lead to more reliable tools for healthcare providers managing sport-related concussions.

Inclusion criteria

• Participants will be recruited from athletes who have sustained a concussion and/or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), as determined by a physical examination conducted by medical staff based on the established concussion definition: biomechnical forces, typically resulting from a direct blow to the head, face, neck, or elsewhere on the body with an impulsive force transmitted to the head.

Exclusion criteria

• Current diagnosis of a psychiatric illness, attention deficit disorder, or learning disability.
• Current use of psychoactive medications.