Leclerc 01 Recommendations for grading of concussion in athletesing

Leclerc, S., et. al. (2001). Recommendations for grading of concussion in athletes. Sports Medicine, 31 (8). 629-639.

Type of Study:

Summary

Purpose:

Mild sports-related concussions, in which there is no loss of consciousness, account for >75% of all sports-related brain injury. Universal agreement on concussion definition and severity grading does not exist. Therefore good clinicial judgement and the ability to recognize post-concussion signs and symptoms will assure that an athlete never returns to play while symptomatic.

Topics:

The lack of concussion definition and severity grading.
Post-concussions symptoms and neuropsychological testing to determine severity.
Recommendation of one grading system that is used consistently, even though it may not be scientifically validated.
Need for goo clinical judgement and ability to recognize post-concussion signs ad symptoms, so no athlete will return to play whil symptomatic.

Conclusion:

Need for one grading system to be used consistently, even though it may not be scientifically validated.
Need for coaches, physicians, and therapists to be involved in the care of athletes to know the symptoms of concssion, recognize them when they occur, and apply basic neuropsychological testing to help detect the injury.


UNL	Sport	TBI