TY - JOUR PY - 2012// TI - Use of a rapid visual screening tool for the assessment of concussion in amateur rugby league: a pilot study JO - Journal of the neurological sciences A1 - King, Doug A1 - Clark, Trevor A1 - Gissane, Conor SP - 16 EP - 21 VL - 320 IS - 1-2 N2 - AIM: This study undertook to use the K-D sideline test with the SCAT2 to see if concussions could be identified in amateur rugby league players over a representative competition period.

METHOD: A prospective cohort study was conducted on two teams participating in an amateur rugby league. All players were tested for signs of concussion utilising the K-D test and players with longer times than their baseline scores undertook a further concussion assessment with the SCAT2.

RESULTS: Five athletes with suspected concussion were evaluated by K-D testing. Three concussions were associated with witnessed events during the matches and two athletes were identified by the team medic as having longer K-D time scores incidentally post-match compared to baseline. Post-match K-D scores for all concussed athletes were worse than baseline for those with reported or witnessed concussion events (7s; 5.0-7.1; p=0.025) and for those identified incidentally (>5s; 8.9-9.1s). Both groups also reported more symptoms on the PCSS (a part of the SCAT2) post-match.

DISCUSSION: In this rugby cohort, the K-D test was not only useful in identifying changes in players with witnessed head trauma, but in identifying changes in players with an un-witnessed suspected concussion.

Language: en

LA - en SN - 0022-510X UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jns.2012.05.049 ID - ref1 ER -