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"Athletes
should be better informed about the
culmulative and persistent effects of
sports concussion on mental and physical
processes"
Dr Louis de Beaumont
University of Montreal
What if I don't have baseline test data ?
Neurocognitive
testing is still useful even if you do
not have an accurate baseline!
Individual cognitive test profiles
differ from athlete to athlete in
affected and unaffected
athletes. Once injured a baseline
test will serve as a post-injury profile
and will be used to track improvements
in cognitive function associated with
healing and wellness. There are times when
baseline testing is not available or
becomes lost. Many variables must
be considered at this point to provide
an accurate "estimate" of an
athletes premorbid or pre-injury
functioning. This way when an
athlete is assessed using computerized
testing a valid and reliable assumption
about the current degree of impairment
can be made. In the acute or
emergent phase of injury it is always
best to rule out more severe
intracranial injury offered by
traditional hospital evaluation.
Formal neuropsychological testing or
computerized assessment should never
take the place of emergency trauma care
when indicated. On site trainers
and emergency personnel will make the
call as to whether or not an athlete
needs to be transported to the nearest
medical facility.
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Current or prior
academic history
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Medical and
concussion history
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History of
learning or problems with attention
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Reading ability
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Work history, if
adult
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Take
Online Test
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SCHOOL AND TEAM
CONSULTATION
Schools or teams who
are interested in offering a
comprehensive concussion education
program are encouraged to contact CAMP
or Dr. Sefton directly for consultation.
Individual programs can be integrated
slowly on a team by team basis depending
upon specific sport and unique needs.
Dr. Sefton has specialized training in
pediatric brain injury, concussion and
neuropsychological assessment.
Training for coaches and trainers is
available and recommended to identify
updated return-to-play protocols and
current standards of care. Both
web-based and individualized ImPACT
testing is available for preseason and
after injury assessment.
Return-to-play consultation is available
with trainers and team physicians 24/7
at 508-579-0417 and email
msefton@qmail.qcc.edu
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