The Frequency of Low Scores on ImPACT in Adolescent Student-Athletes: Stratification by Race and Socioeconomic Status Using Multivariate Base Rates

ABSTRACT

This study examined the associations between the frequency of low scores on the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test (ImPACT) by race and socioeconomic status (SES), using the proxy of Title I school status, among adolescent student-athletes and calculated multivariate base rates. There were 753 participants assigned to groups based on race (White: n = 430, 59.8%; Black: n = 289, 40.2%) and SES. Black student-athletes obtained more low neurocognitive test scores, which was associated with lower SES. The current study offers a resource to clinicians involved in concussion management who may wish to consider race and SES when interpreting ImPACT test performances.

Disclosure statement

Grant Iverson, Ph.D. has been reimbursed by the government, professional scientific bodies, and commercial organizations for discussing or presenting research relating to mild TBI and sport-related concussion at meetings, scientific conferences, and symposiums. He has a clinical and consulting practice in forensic neuropsychology involving individuals who have sustained mild TBIs (including athletes). He serves as a scientific advisor for NanoDx™, Sway Operations, LLC, and Highmark, Inc. He has received research funding from several test publishing companies, including ImPACT Applications, Inc., CNS Vital Signs, and Psychological Assessment Resources (PAR, Inc.). He has received research funding as a principal investigator from the National Football League, and salary support as a collaborator from the Harvard Integrated Program to Protect and Improve the Health of National Football League Players Association Members. He acknowledges unrestricted philanthropic support from ImPACT Applications, Inc., the Heinz Family Foundation, the Boston Bolts, the Mooney-Reed Charitable Foundation, and the Spaulding Research Institute.

Phillip Worts is co-owner of PWSB Analytics, LLC and MyelinXR, LLC, and co-author of the Frequency of Concussion Symptoms (FOCS) survey.

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Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.