Patrick Huber MBA, ATC, EMT-P
Athletic Trainer II
Project Lead
Department of Athletic Training and Development
UPMC Sports Concussion Program
Concussion Program has 3 points
• Awareness :
– Community talks / events
– Pre-season meeting with parents, coaches, athletes and
administrators / referees
• Education:
– PP Presentation with Video
– Explanation of test and modules
– Folder with additional material
• Testing:
– Adult version: Age10+ Any location
– Pediatric version: Age 6 – 9 y/o CSM ONLY
Goals
Education targeted at parents,
coaches, players, school
administrators, referees,
doctors and EMT’s to increase
awareness and recognition of
concussions
Provide extensive printed
materials for distribution at
local rinks and events
Promote a safer game
Eventually move the program
to other youth sports
Concussion cards
• Signs and Symptoms
• On-field Evaluation
• Questions to ask
• What to do if “fails” a
question.
• Phone number to call for an
evaluation.
UPMC Concussion Program
• ANY ATHLETE OR SPORT
• Set up can be individual, team or organizational
• Cost of program: $25.00 per individual
– Online registration with C.C. Payment
• Proctors: Athletic Trainers and Physical Therapy staff
Program Format
• Registration / check in
– Link is emailed to league, group or individual
– Customized email PDF with links and information
– Online reg. and payment (TPO & demographics)
• PP presentation education
– Explanation of test and modules
• Take group to computer lab for testing
– 10 y/o grouped together with parents
Online Registration
Online Registration
Online Registration
Education Presentation
10% of all contact sport athletes sustain
concussions yearly
63% of all concussions occur in football
”Bell ringers” or mild concussions account for
75% of all concussive injuries
Effects of concussions are cumulative in athletes
who return to play before complete recovery
The best way to prevent problems with
concussion is to manage them effectively when
they occur
FACTS AND STATISTICS
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Sports Concussion: When an athlete receives a traumatic
force to the head or upper body that causes the brain to
shake inside of the skull. This may cause a change in
mental status such as loss of consciousness, amnesia,
disorientation, confusion or mental fogginess.
What is a Concussion?
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Concussion Symptoms
Headache
Nausea
Balance problems
Double vision
Photosensitivity
Feeling sluggish
Feeling foggy
Change in sleep pattern
Cognitive changes
Signs and Symptoms of Concussions
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Concussion Signs
Appears dazed
Confused about play
Forgets play
Unsure of score / opp.
Answers are slow
Personality change
Retrograde amnesia
Anterograde amnesia
Loss of consciousness
What if I think I have a concussion?
TELL YOUR COACHES AND PARENTS:
If you get a bump or blow to the head
If one of your teammates might have a concussion
GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO GET BETTER:
The brain needs time to heal
You are more likely to have a second concussion right after the first
Rest until you get approval from a healthcare professional to return
to play
What if I suspect my son or daughter has a concussion?
Go to the Emergency Room if you suspect head trauma
Follow up with the appropriate healthcare provider
Contact the UPMC Sports Concussion Program for a
follow up evaluation
412-432-3681
What activities should we avoid?
Avoid texting or computer games
Avoid driving while having symptoms
Exercising or lifting weights
Any physical activity until cleared to do so
What happens after the concussion?
• Patients with prolonged recovery frequently have problems involving the Vestibular System
• Complaints that may indicate a Vestibular Problem include: – Dizziness
– Blurry Vision
– Being “off balance”
– Motion sensitivity
• These issues can often be improved with Vestibular Rehabilitation
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Examples of Vestibular Rehab for Balance
Vestibular Rehab: Dizziness/ Blurry Vision
How can I prevent a concussion?
You cannot truly prevent a concussion
Follow the rules of the sport
Wear properly fitting equipment
Baseline testing is completed through a computer generated
test called ImPACT.
What does the ImPACT test do?
Helps to determine a safe return to play
Helps prevent cumulative effects of multiple concussions
Helps to prevent a potential catastrophic injury
IMPACT DOES NOT DIAGNOSE A CONCUSSION. IT IS A
TOOL USED TO AID PHYSICIANS IN THE TREATMENT
OF A CONCUSSION
What is Baseline Testing?
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Eight Neurocognitive Measures (Brain Function)
Working Memory
Visual Memory
Verbal Memory
Attention
Reaction Time
Mental Speed
Processing Speed
WHAT DOES ImPACT MEASURE?
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What does the test look like?
• Module 1 (Word Discrimination)
• Module 2 (Design Memory)
• Module 3 (X’s and O’s)
• Module 4 (Symbol Matching)
• Module 5 (Color Match)
• Module 6 (Three letters)
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WHAT DOES THE ImPACT TEST LOOK LIKE?
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Module 1 (Word Discrimination)
Evaluates attentional processes/verbal recognition memory
There are five different forms of the word list.
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Module 2 (Design Memory)
Evaluates attentional processes and visual recognition memory
There are five different forms of this task
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Module 3 (X’s and O’s)
Measures visual working memory, visual processing speed, and visual memory
Once the subject has completed this task, the memory task is presented.
For each administration of ImPACT, the subject completes 4 trials.
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Module 4 (Symbol Matching)
Evaluates visual processing speed, learning and memory
Initially, the subject is presented with a screen that displays 9 common
symbols (triangle, square, arrow, etc).
Directly under each symbol is a number button from 1 to 9
This module provides an average reaction time score and a score for the
memory condition.
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Module 5 (Color Match)
First, the subject is required to respond by clicking a red, blue or green button
as they are presented on the screen. This procedure is completed to assure
that subsequent trials would not be affected by color blindness
Next, a word is displayed on the screen in the same colored ink as the word
(e.g. RED), or in a different colored ink (GREEN or BLUE)
In addition to providing a reaction time score, this task also provides an error
score.
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Module 6 (Three letters)
Measures working memory and visual-motor response speed
First, the subject is allowed to practice a distractor task
Five trials of this task are presented for each administration of the test.
How often does my son or daughter need to be baseline
tested?
For children between the ages of 6 and 12, we recommend each
year
For children over the age of 13 we recommend every 2 years
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Can my PCP evaluate my son or daughter for the
post-concussion test?
Most PCP offices do not have a Certified Impact
Consultant (CIC) who is able to evaluate or recommend
rehabilitation from a concussion.
We recommend scheduling an appointment with UPMC
Sports Concussion for a re-evaluation by our team.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What Insurances do you accept?
We accept most insurances. We recommend
calling your insurance before the re-evaluation.
If you have a question about whether your
insurance is accepted then call 412-432-3681
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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Will we get a copy of today’s baseline test?
Yes, the baseline results will be sent to you in the next 2
weeks using the email address that you provided on your
registration.
The email subject line will say:
Baseline Concussion Results
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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UPMC Sports Concussion Program
1-855-93 SPORT
1-855-937-7678
To schedule a new baseline test:
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UPMC Sports Concussion Program
(412) 432-3681
BEFORE YOU TEST
• IF YOU HAD A CONCUSSION IN THE LAST
30 DAYS PLEASE SEE THE SITE
COORDINATOR
• LEAVE ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH
YOUR PARENTS / GUARDIANS
• TAKE THE TEST SERIOUSLY
QUESTIONS??
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