Patrick Huber MBA, ATC, EMT-P

Athletic Trainer II

Project Lead

Department of Athletic Training and Development

UPMC Sports Concussion Program

Concussion Program has 3 points

• Awareness :

– Community talks / events

– Pre-season meeting with parents, coaches, athletes and

administrators / referees

• Education:

– PP Presentation with Video

– Explanation of test and modules

– Folder with additional material

• Testing:

– Adult version: Age10+ Any location

– Pediatric version: Age 6 – 9 y/o CSM ONLY

Goals

Education targeted at parents,

coaches, players, school

administrators, referees,

doctors and EMT’s to increase

awareness and recognition of

concussions

Provide extensive printed

materials for distribution at

local rinks and events

Promote a safer game

Eventually move the program

to other youth sports

Concussion cards

• Signs and Symptoms

• On-field Evaluation

• Questions to ask

• What to do if “fails” a

question.

• Phone number to call for an

evaluation.

UPMC Concussion Program

• ANY ATHLETE OR SPORT

• Set up can be individual, team or organizational

• Cost of program: $25.00 per individual

– Online registration with C.C. Payment

• Proctors: Athletic Trainers and Physical Therapy staff

Program Format

• Registration / check in

– Link is emailed to league, group or individual

– Customized email PDF with links and information

– Online reg. and payment (TPO & demographics)

• PP presentation education

– Explanation of test and modules

• Take group to computer lab for testing

– 10 y/o grouped together with parents

Online Registration

Online Registration

Online Registration

Education Presentation

10% of all contact sport athletes sustain

concussions yearly

63% of all concussions occur in football

”Bell ringers” or mild concussions account for

75% of all concussive injuries

Effects of concussions are cumulative in athletes

who return to play before complete recovery

The best way to prevent problems with

concussion is to manage them effectively when

they occur

FACTS AND STATISTICS

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Sports Concussion: When an athlete receives a traumatic

force to the head or upper body that causes the brain to

shake inside of the skull. This may cause a change in

mental status such as loss of consciousness, amnesia,

disorientation, confusion or mental fogginess.

What is a Concussion?

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Concussion Symptoms

Headache

Nausea

Balance problems

Double vision

Photosensitivity

Feeling sluggish

Feeling foggy

Change in sleep pattern

Cognitive changes

Signs and Symptoms of Concussions

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Concussion Signs

Appears dazed

Confused about play

Forgets play

Unsure of score / opp.

Answers are slow

Personality change

Retrograde amnesia

Anterograde amnesia

Loss of consciousness

What if I think I have a concussion?

TELL YOUR COACHES AND PARENTS:

If you get a bump or blow to the head

If one of your teammates might have a concussion

GIVE YOURSELF TIME TO GET BETTER:

The brain needs time to heal

You are more likely to have a second concussion right after the first

Rest until you get approval from a healthcare professional to return

to play

What if I suspect my son or daughter has a concussion?

Go to the Emergency Room if you suspect head trauma

Follow up with the appropriate healthcare provider

Contact the UPMC Sports Concussion Program for a

follow up evaluation

412-432-3681

What activities should we avoid?

Avoid texting or computer games

Avoid driving while having symptoms

Exercising or lifting weights

Any physical activity until cleared to do so

What happens after the concussion?

• Patients with prolonged recovery frequently have problems involving the Vestibular System

• Complaints that may indicate a Vestibular Problem include: – Dizziness

– Blurry Vision

– Being “off balance”

– Motion sensitivity

• These issues can often be improved with Vestibular Rehabilitation

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Examples of Vestibular Rehab for Balance

Vestibular Rehab: Dizziness/ Blurry Vision

How can I prevent a concussion?

You cannot truly prevent a concussion

Follow the rules of the sport

Wear properly fitting equipment

Baseline testing is completed through a computer generated

test called ImPACT.

What does the ImPACT test do?

Helps to determine a safe return to play

Helps prevent cumulative effects of multiple concussions

Helps to prevent a potential catastrophic injury

IMPACT DOES NOT DIAGNOSE A CONCUSSION. IT IS A

TOOL USED TO AID PHYSICIANS IN THE TREATMENT

OF A CONCUSSION

What is Baseline Testing?

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Eight Neurocognitive Measures (Brain Function)

Working Memory

Visual Memory

Verbal Memory

Attention

Reaction Time

Mental Speed

Processing Speed

WHAT DOES ImPACT MEASURE?

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What does the test look like?

• Module 1 (Word Discrimination)

• Module 2 (Design Memory)

• Module 3 (X’s and O’s)

• Module 4 (Symbol Matching)

• Module 5 (Color Match)

• Module 6 (Three letters)

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WHAT DOES THE ImPACT TEST LOOK LIKE?

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Module 1 (Word Discrimination)

Evaluates attentional processes/verbal recognition memory

There are five different forms of the word list.

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Module 2 (Design Memory)

Evaluates attentional processes and visual recognition memory

There are five different forms of this task

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Module 3 (X’s and O’s)

Measures visual working memory, visual processing speed, and visual memory

Once the subject has completed this task, the memory task is presented.

For each administration of ImPACT, the subject completes 4 trials.

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Module 4 (Symbol Matching)

Evaluates visual processing speed, learning and memory

Initially, the subject is presented with a screen that displays 9 common

symbols (triangle, square, arrow, etc).

Directly under each symbol is a number button from 1 to 9

This module provides an average reaction time score and a score for the

memory condition.

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Module 5 (Color Match)

First, the subject is required to respond by clicking a red, blue or green button

as they are presented on the screen. This procedure is completed to assure

that subsequent trials would not be affected by color blindness

Next, a word is displayed on the screen in the same colored ink as the word

(e.g. RED), or in a different colored ink (GREEN or BLUE)

In addition to providing a reaction time score, this task also provides an error

score.

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Module 6 (Three letters)

Measures working memory and visual-motor response speed

First, the subject is allowed to practice a distractor task

Five trials of this task are presented for each administration of the test.

How often does my son or daughter need to be baseline

tested?

For children between the ages of 6 and 12, we recommend each

year

For children over the age of 13 we recommend every 2 years

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Can my PCP evaluate my son or daughter for the

post-concussion test?

Most PCP offices do not have a Certified Impact

Consultant (CIC) who is able to evaluate or recommend

rehabilitation from a concussion.

We recommend scheduling an appointment with UPMC

Sports Concussion for a re-evaluation by our team.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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What Insurances do you accept?

We accept most insurances. We recommend

calling your insurance before the re-evaluation.

If you have a question about whether your

insurance is accepted then call 412-432-3681

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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Will we get a copy of today’s baseline test?

Yes, the baseline results will be sent to you in the next 2

weeks using the email address that you provided on your

registration.

The email subject line will say:

Baseline Concussion Results

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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UPMC Sports Concussion Program

1-855-93 SPORT

1-855-937-7678

To schedule a new baseline test:

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UPMC Sports Concussion Program

(412) 432-3681

BEFORE YOU TEST

• IF YOU HAD A CONCUSSION IN THE LAST

30 DAYS PLEASE SEE THE SITE

COORDINATOR

• LEAVE ANY ELECTRONIC DEVICES WITH

YOUR PARENTS / GUARDIANS

• TAKE THE TEST SERIOUSLY

QUESTIONS??

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