Impact Testing Information/Frequency Asked Questions

ImPACT Test

This page is a basic overview of ImPACT. We encourage parents to view an entire slideshow which is much more detailed. The presentation can be found at IMpact Informative Slideshow

Background on the test and designers

  • Designed by Director of Neuropsychology, Mark Lovell, PhD, Chief Clinical Officer of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Michael Collins, PhD, and Chief Medical Officer of University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Joseph Maroon, MD.
  • A user-friendly computer based test designed for the management of sports-related concussion.
  • The test has been designed after 10-years of University-based, grant-supported research.
  •  ImPACT is used effectively across high school, collegiate, and professional levels of sport participation.

Second Impact Syndrome

  •  “Occurs when an athlete sustains a second impact before being completely healed from a first concussion”
  • Causes increased pressure in the skull
  • 50% OF ALL SIS CASES ARE FATAL
  • If not fatal, permanent deficits occur (reports of coma from 3 days to 3 months)
  • Only occur in the adolescent brain because it is not fully developed
  • In 2008, 5 football players died from SIS

Components of the test

  • Computerized test which takes about 20 minutes
  • Components include:
  1. Subject Profile and Health History
  2.  Current Symptoms and Conditions
  3. Neuropsychological Test
  4. Word Discrimination
  5. Design Memory
  6. X’s and O’s
  7. Symbol Matching
  8. Symbol Matching
  9. Color Match
  10. 3 letters
  11. Injury Description
  12. Graphic Display of Data

 

Risks Associated with not taking ImPACT

  • No Baseline to determine “normal” cognitive function
  • No post-concussion test determining the extent of brain injury
  • Clinician has no data to make informed decision on return-to-play
  • Premature return-to-play leading to second impact syndrome

 Timeline for Recovery

  •  Since every athlete and every concussion are different, there is no set time for expected return to play.
  •  The protocol at SESD is as follows:
  1. Athlete must be completely symptom-free for 24 hours
  2. Athlete then takes the post-concussion test through impacttest.com
  3.  If they pass and there are no return of symptoms, they begin a 5 day gradual progression to return-to-play. Athlete must remain symptom-free through each day. If they DO NOT pass the test, they are given 3 to 4 more days of healing time and are then re-tested.

 

5-Day Gradual Return to Play

  • Day 1 - aerobic exercise (.e.g., stationary bicycle, jog 1 mile)
  • Day 2 -- sport specific training (e.g., running, skating)
  • Day 3 – non-contact drills (includes cutting and other lateral movements)
  • Day 4 – full contact controlled training (cannot be a game day)
  • Day 5 – full contact game play