Study Casts Doubt on Standard Test for Athletes Concussion [Video]

Key Takeaways

Cognitive skills tests routinely used to help diagnose a concussion in athletes may be useless, a new study findsThe research showed no difference in test results between injured and non-injured college playersThat means symptoms alone must be used to gauge concussion, researchers said, but many players try to hide symptoms

TUESDAY, June 11, 2024 (HealthDay News) — A test used to gauge whether a college athlete has suffered a concussion is right only half the time and may be useless, new research finds.

The test used by the NCAA, which oversees college sports, measures an athlete’s cognitive skills, and is one of three tests (symptoms and balance tests being the other two) that doctors use to identify concussion.

“If you don’t do well on the cognitive exam, it suggests you have a concussion. But many people who are concussed do fine on the exam,” said study lead author Dr. Kimberly Harmon. She …