Assessment Trends Among Neuropsychologists Conducting Sport-Related Concussion Evaluations

ABSTRACT

Neuropsychologists regularly conduct sport-related concussion (SRC) evaluations, although research has not tracked these assessment practices. As part of a survey of neuropsychological test usage, we analyzed data from 215 neuropsychologists who conduct SRC evaluations. Only 15% reported conducting baseline assessments of athletes as part of a sports program and 92% evaluate athletes' post-concussion without baseline data. The majority of respondents use a full battery, considered the most reliable approach for assessing concussion symptoms in athletes. Only 6% use computerized tests exclusively (>50% ImPACT). We discuss the implications of these results and address challenges faced by neuropsychologists who perform SRC evaluations.

Notes

1. The approach of combining paper/pencil and computerized tests is referred to as “mixed computerized and paper/pencil” in the survey and current paper. This approach may also be referred to as “hybrid” in the field (e.g., Echemendia et al., 2013).