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Concussion -Standardized Assessment of Concussion
Assessment
Balance and Vestibular Testing
Balance and vestibular tests are used to detect a variety of symptoms relating to the integration of balance, vision, and proprioception.
Baseline Testing
Assessments of balance, vision, memory, attention, and more that measure how the brain functions prior to a head injury. These tests are compared to post-injury scores following a concussion.
Imaging Testing
Different technologies used to give clinicians visual representations of the brain, neck and spine.
King-Devick Test
The King-Devick test is a tool used in concussion baseline and post injury sideline assessment.
Neuro-Optometric Assessment
Neuro-Optometric Assessments measure aspects of vision relating to the brain and visual system.
Neurological Exam
An assessment of nervous system functioning, including tests of movement and sensation.
Neuropsychological Testing
A comprehensive way of measuring all aspects of cognition and thinking including attention, processing speed, language, memory, and reasoning.
Occupational Therapy Assessment
Occupational therapy assessments are used by occupational therapists to measure brain function and subjective reports of difficulties with occupation and daily roles.
SCAT 5
Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 is a standardized sideline concussion screening tool for use by medical professionals.
Pediatric SCAT 5
Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 is a standardized sideline concussion screening tool for use by medical professionals for children.
Sideline Assessments
A variety of tests used by healthcare professionals to assess athletes for concussion or other injury at the sidelines.
Ie.
(Jim Kelly, Amer Acad of Neurology, 1997)
Orientation (1 point each)
Month
Date
Day of week
Year
Time (within 1 hour)
Immediate Memory (1 point for each correct, total over 3 trials)
Trial 1 ` Trial 2 Trial 3
Word 1 (elbow)
Word 2 (glove)
Word 3 (scissors)
Word 4 (horse)
word 5 (balloon)
Concentration:
Reverse digits (Go to next string length if correct on first trial. Stop if incorrect on both trials.
1 point for each string)
3-8-2 5-1-8
2-7-9-3 2-1-6-8
5-1-8-6-9 9-4-1-7-5
6-9-7-3-5-1 4-2-8-9-3-7
Months of the year backwards (1 point for correct sequence)
Delayed Recall (approximately 5 minutes after immediate memory. 1 point each)
Word 1 (elbow)
Word 2 (glove)
Word 3 (scissors)
Word 4 (horse)
Word 5 (balloon)
Summary: Orientation 5
Immediate Memory 15
Concentration 5
Delayed Recall 5
-------------------
Total 30
The following may be performed between the immediate Memory and Delayed Recall portions of this assessment when appropriate:
- Recollection of injury
- Strength
- Sensation
- Coordination
Exertional maneuvers:
- 40 yd sprint
- 5 sit ups
- 5 knee bends
- 5 push ups
Education & Resources
Balance (Vestibular)
- Balance problems
- Changes in gait
- Changes in physical coordination
- Clumsiness
- Dizziness
- Feeling "not right" or "off"
- Headache
- Lightheadedness
- Loss of balance and unsteady walking
- Nausea
- Problems walking
- Recurrent dizziness
- Sensation of moving while still
- Spinning room
- Stumbling
- Tinnitis or "ringing in the ears"
- Vertigo
Cognitive
- Amnesia before or after the traumatic event
- Answers questions slowly
- Appearing dazed
- Changes in behavior
- Concentration and memory complaints
- Confusion
- Decreased attention
- Delayed response to questions
- Diffculty thinking clearly
- Difficulty concentrating
- Difficulty remembering
- Difficulty remembering new information
- Disorders of taste and smell
- Feeling as if in a fog
- Feeling slowed down
- Foggy
- Forgetful of recent information or conversation
- Headache while reading
- Memory problems
- Not thinking clearly
- Repeats questions
- Sensitivity to noise
- Slowed reaction times
- Stuttering
Emotion
- Anxiety
- Crankiness
- Crying excessively
- Depression
- Easily upset or angry
- Feeling anxious
- Feeling more emotional
- Feeling sad
- Involuntary crying
- Irritability
- Lack of interest in favorite activities
- Listlessness / tiring easily
- Mood changes
- Nervousness
- Personality changes
- Psychological adjustment problems
- Sadness
- Uncontrollable crying
- Uncontrollable laughing
Neck & Spine
- Feeling of pressure in the head
- Migraines
- Mild headache
- Moderate headache
- Neck pain
- Numbness
- Tingling
Vision
- Abnormal eye movement
- Blurry vision
- Changes in vision
- Double vision
- Eye strain or feeling of pressure behind the eyes
- Fuzzy vision
- Seeing stars
- Sensitivity to light
- Visual problems
Sleep
- Change in eating or sleeping patterns
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Feeling tired
- Having low or no energy
- Insomnia
- Lack of energy
- Sleep disturbances
- Sleeping less than usual
- Sleeping more than usual
- Sluggish
- Trouble falling asleep
- Trouble staying asleep
Danger Signs
- A headache that gets worse over time
- Changes in speech
- Coma
- Difficulty recognizing people or places
- Disorientation
- Draining of blood or clear fluid from the ears or nose
- Inability to wake up
- Lasting confusion
- Loss of consciousness
- Pupils that are bigger than normal (dilated pupils)
- Repeated vomiting
- Seizures
- Severe headache
- Slurred speech
- Symptoms that worsen over time
- Unequal pupil size (one pupil is larger than the other)
- Vision or eye disturbances
- Vomiting
- Weak muscles
- Pediatric
- Changes in napping
- Lack of interest in favorite toys
- Large head bumps or bruises on areas other than the forehead
If any of your symptoms worsen rapidly over a short period of time, seek emergency medical attention.
This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult your physician.
Treatment
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Cognitive rehabilitation is a form of occupational therapy designed to improve function and return patients to daily activities.
Cerebral Spinal Fluid Flow
Sacral Occipital Repertory Mechanism and Spinal Righting Reflexes are used to evaluate and restore optimal cerebral spinal fluid flow to support rapid healing of the Central nervous system.
Graduated Return-to-Play Protocol
Athletes move through a graded progression of increased activity while monitoring symptoms under close supervision.
Vestibular Therapy
Vestibular therapy is a specific type of therapy that uses targeted exercises to help decrease dizziness, imbalance, and vertigo, which can occur with vestibular dysfunction.
Vision Therapy
Vision therapy is a form of therapy used on the eyes and brain that is designed to resolve vision problems.
Neuro-Organization Technique
Supports brain-integration, sensory processing.
Total Body Modification
Restores function of self-regeneration inherent to the human body.
Community Services
Injury Prevention Service
Injury prevention services are available for schools, youth leagues, and tournaments.
Assessments of balance, vision, memory, attention, and more that measure how the brain functions prior to a head injury. These tests are compared to post-injury scores following a concussion.
Educational seminars are available to schools, organizations, and leagues at no cost. Presentations include the most up-to-date information on concussion signs and symptoms, assessment, treatment, research, and state laws.
Our research program focuses on the development of collaborative treatment modalities and novel interventions for those affected by concussion.
Make an Appointment
General Educator Appointment
Request an evaluation with a specialist as a new patient or a follow-up patient.
Baseline Test Appointment
Make an appointment for baseline screenings before an injury happens.
SCHEDULE Concussion
Specialties: Sports Chiropractic
Our Team:
Dr. Tony Hall - American Chiropractic Board of Sports Physicians (ACBSP)is to provide a format for healthcare providers to review current evidence based information and to demonstrate competency regarding the evaluations and management of concussion in sports.
Lynda Detweiler - earned a Master’s Degree from Northridge University and has over 40 years of experience in Communication Disorders.
Kate Algood - Sports Psycology
Contact Us: Malibu 310 589-1005 / Encinitas 760 634-6886
About Us: In Malibu and Encinitas
