concussion assessment Flashcards

1
Q

what is a concussion

A

Sports Related Concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by a direct blow to the head, neck or body resulting in an impulsive force being transmitted to the brain that occurs during sport or exercise

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2
Q

can abnormality is seen on standart structural neuroimaging

A

no

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3
Q

concussion impact primary predominant mechanism of concussion

A

Shear forces caused by rotational acceleration

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4
Q

concusion mechanism determined by

A

amount of mechanical energy from acceleration transferred to the brain and vascular tissue

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5
Q

High school athletes are reported to sustain between _ impacts annually, which is more than reported in collegiate athletes, who may sustain between _ and impacts annually.

A

High school athletes are reported to sustain between 520 and 652 impacts annually, which is more than reported in collegiate athletes, who may sustain between 257 and 438 impacts annually.

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6
Q

In general, impacts occurring in high school football fall on the low end of the spectrum, with _% of all impacts resulting in a linear head acceleration of _ g or less, which is far below the levels of a concussive impact.

A

75, 30

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7
Q

Following an acceleration and deceleration force transmitted to the head, a complex cascade of _ events occur

A

neurochemical and neurometabolic

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8
Q

what happen to the axon when acceleration/deceleration injury occurs

A

Nerve (axon) is deformed (shearing and stretching motion)

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9
Q

what happen physiologicaly with concussion

A

Increase in glucose metabolism “hyper-metabolism” + diminished cerebral blood flow

Neurotransmitters are released and influx of ions

Binding of glutamate to Excitatory amino acids (N-methyl-d-aspartate- NMDA) receptor

Leads to further neuronal depolarization with efflux of potassium and calcium

The Na+-K+ pump works in overtime to try and restore neuronal membrane

This requires increased use of adenosine triphosphate (ATP)

Cellular energy crisis

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10
Q

impact on calcium release in concussion

A

calcium in the cell impair ATP production in mitochondria, worsening energy crisis

calcium influx also cause axonal swelling and decrease axonal function

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11
Q

impact on increase calcium release in concusion is usually seen when

A

Seen within hours and may persist for 2-4days

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12
Q

what is metabolic vulnerability

A

Following concussive episode studies have shown changes in brain metabolism

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13
Q

Solid experimental evidence linking the severity of brain injury and recovery with

A

with the extent of ATP and N-acetylaspartate (NAA) decrease and recovery

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14
Q

metabolic recovery; at 15 day only _ concussed athlete had level return to minimal level recorde in control

Brain concentration of NAA remained profoundly depressed in _ of 40 concussed athletes at 22 days but returned to normal levels at 30 days

A

5 of 40
21

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15
Q

These data support previous findings (Vagnozzi et al., 2008), suggesting that the metabolite normalization process after a concussive episode is an

A

exponential phenomenon, rather slow in the first 2 weeks, when a daily increase of 0.35% is observed, and faster between 22 and 30 days, when the daily increase of the NAA/Cr ratio is 1%

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16
Q

what is SIS

A

Condition in which a person experiences a second head injury before the complete recovery of the initial injury
Results from the dysfunctional cerebral blood flow autoregulation leading to increased intracranial pressure

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17
Q

what is herniation and result from what

A

Herniation= rapid pressure develop and deterioration and leading to death within 2-5minutes
can result from SIS

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18
Q

The majority (80-90%) of concussions resolve in a short _ day period

A

7-10 days

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19
Q

T/F. Self-declared to have spontaneously recovered from any clinical post-concussive symptoms between 3 and 15 days after concussion, indicating a profound discrepancy between clinical self-observational return to ‘normal’ and complete metabolic recovery

A

T

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20
Q

Recent experimental studies (Signorettiet al., 2010) have shown that spontaneous re-synthesis of NAA occurs only _ therefore, it appears possible that normalization of NAA concentrations may occur only _

A

after recovery of mitochondrial dysfunction with consequential return to normal ATP levels;

after the cerebral energy state has fully recovered.

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21
Q

concussion prevention

A

Neck strength only plays a role to a certain extent
Ability to actively engage neck muscles and resist linear and rotational acceleration is more important (Viano et al 2007)
Neuromuscular warm up programs completed at least 3x/week have been associated with lower concussion rates in rugby players

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22
Q

can helmet help concussion prevention

A

Helmets- may reduce concussion severity and duration of symptoms as well as SRC odds if direct head impact

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23
Q

does headgear help with concussion prevention

A

no statistical significance

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24
Q

do monthguard help with concussion prevention

A

conflicting results. Hockey has shown a 26% reduction rate in ice hockey across all age groups. More research needed for non-helmeted contact and collision sports

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25
Q

In some cases of concussions, symptoms may take up to _ days to develop and/or evolve

A

5

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26
Q

Therefore, CAT(C)s should remain in touch with the injured athlete and/or individual monitoring the athlete, especially during the first _ hours. It is essential to watch for any possible red flags to ensure that appropriate follow-up is made

A

48-72h

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27
Q

A referral to a physician (versed in concussion management) is required for all concussions with symptoms lasting more than _ days

A

10

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28
Q

Up to _% of children and adults with SRC experience persisting post-concussive symptoms

A

30

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29
Q

5th international conference on concussions in Sport defines persisting post-concussive symptoms as symptoms lasting _ weeks or longer for adults and _ weeks of longer for children

A

2 week adults, 4 weeks children

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30
Q

Persistent Concussion Symptoms is frequently associated with

A

mental health problems, declines in QOL and difficulties returning to sport, school work and ADLs

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31
Q

is their a gold standard for diagnosis of concussion

A

no, relie on symptom report

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32
Q

Risk Factors for concussion outcomes;Increased deficits and protracted recovery

A

History of migraine
Diagnoses of learning disability of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Sex (i.e. females)
Age (i.e. younger)

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33
Q

_ appear to be risk factors for persistent symptoms

A

Preinjury mental health problems and prior concussions

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34
Q

does ADHD and learning difficulties increase risk of prolonged recovery

A

ADHD and learning difficulties may require more careful planning for RTL but do not consistently increase risk of prolonged recovery

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35
Q

The _ years might be a particularly vulnerable time for having persistent symptoms—with greater risk for girls or boys ?

A

teenage year, girl

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36
Q

T/F. Greater acute and subacute symptoms are a consistent predictor of worse clinical outcome.

A

T

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37
Q

_ has been reported in some studies as having a 7 fold increase in risk of PCS

A

Dizziness

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38
Q

Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool (SCOAT6/Child SCOAT6)
Does not replace clinical acumen but provides a _ that can be adapted to help inform clinical evaluations

A

standardized framework

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39
Q

Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool (SCOAT6/Child SCOAT6) can be use with who and what does it provide

A

Identifies areas for potential individualized interventions, direction for the specialist, possible referral avenues and monitoring recovery
Child= 8-12
Adult=13+

40
Q

what is include in the new SCOAT6 and child SCOAT6

A

Symptoms, cognitive recall, blood pressure measures, cervical evaluation, neurological examination (cranial nerves and spinal), timed tandem gait, modified VOMs

41
Q

_ symptoms in the first week need special attention**

A

Dizziness at time of injury and migraines

42
Q

_% of patients report headaches with concussion

A

75

43
Q

S/S of cognitive/fatigue trajectory

A

fatigue, decreased energy levels, non-specific H/A, sleep disturbances

Common to see symptoms increase at end of day
Difficulties concentrating
Increase headache with cognitive activity

Neurocognitive testing typically reveals mild global deficits in memory, processing speed, and reaction time

44
Q

if i have sleep disturbance, my symptome increase at end of day, i have trouble concentrated, fatigue and increase headache with cognitive activity which trajectory it is

A

cognitive/fatigue

45
Q

S/S vestibular trajectory

A

dizziness, fogginess, nausea, and feeling of being detached, anxiety, and overstimulation in more complex environments

Increase in symptoms in busier, more stimulating environments
Rapid head or body movements may exacerbate symptoms

Note the triggers for increased symptoms as well as activities that do not trigger a vestibular reaction

Assess via a comprehensive vestibular/ocular motor screening

46
Q

if i am dizzy, have feeling to be detached, my symptom inrease in more stimulating environement, fogginess and rapid head mpvement exacerbate my symptom which trajectory is affected

A

vestibular

47
Q

S/S of ocular motor trajectory

A

S- localize, frontally based headaches, fatigue, distractibility, difficulties with visually based classes, pressure behind eyes, and difficulty with focus

Difficulties with extended time in front of computer screens or reading
Full days at work or school may intensify symptoms, with decrease in symptoms on the weekend

Characterize headache- frontal pressure sensation or behind eyes? Or increased headache with reading or computer time?

Most likely the ocular motor dysfunction will be evident with near convergence and/or accommodation measurements

48
Q

if i have pressure behind eyes, feel fatigue, difficulty with extended time in front of computer screen or reading. I have decreased symptom in the weekend and increase with full day at school which trajectory is affected

A

ocular motor trajectory

49
Q

common visual complain of ocular motor trajectory

A

I get tired when trying to read
When I turn to quickly, I get dizzy
I feel like its difficult to find things
I am seeing double
I am skipping lines when reading
My vision is blurry
My depth is off

50
Q

common functional complain of ocular motor trajectory

A

Hard time paying attention in class
Cant read for more than 5 minutes at a time
Lights frorm computer and phone is bothersome
Hard time following recipes, skips steps
Get dizzy and disorientated when tying shoes
Hard time putting make up on

51
Q

S/S of anxiety/mood trajectory

A

increase in anxiety, including ruminative thoughts, hypervigilance, feelings or being overwhelmed, sadness, and/or hopelessness

Report sleep disturbances, with inability to quiet minds or stop thinking and worrying
Ask about family history of anxiety
Symptoms may manifest through headache, foggy, dizzy or fatigued
If symptoms present with down time/alone consider anxiety
Some vestibular dysfunction testing may provoke symptoms (must be treated before treating anxiety)

52
Q

i have sleep disturbance, inability to stop thinking, hypervigilance feeling, sadness which trajectory is affected

A

anxiety/mood

53
Q

International Headache society defines post-traumatic migraine as

A

unilateral, moderate to severe intensity headache following a head trauma with a pulsating quality that is associated with nausea and photosensitivity and or/phono sensitivity and is often aggravated by physical activity

54
Q

post traumatic migraine trajectory is exacerbated by

A

stress, sleep dysregulation, anxiety or emotional changes, dietary trigger (caffeine)

55
Q

what is a vestibular migraine

A

nervous system problem that causes repeated dizziness

55
Q

which type of migraine is associated with Dizziness, sensitivity to light, sound, motion intolerance with head, eyes, and body movement (potentially causing vertigo, nausea, vomiting), confusion/altered

A

vestibular migraine

56
Q

what is cervicogenic headache

A

Secondary headache
Referred pain caused by dysfunction of the cervical spine

56
Q

which type of headache is associated with Increased symptoms with motion of C/S or pressure placed on neck, Often reduced ROM of the neck, usually 1 side of dysfunction

A

cervicogenic headache

56
Q

what is a post-traumatic headache

A

Headache that develops within 7 days of injury or after re-gaining consciousness
- Most common resembles a migraine

57
Q

which type of headache is associated with C1-3 cervical afferents and trigeminal nerve in face lead to referred hemi cranial pain

A

post-traumatic headache

58
Q

what is important to focus on with cervical trajectory

A

Important to focus on characterization of the headache (i.e. dull, throbbing, pressure) as well as location (frontal, temporal, occipital)

Ask about onset and course of ADL to help determine triggers

Assess cervical spine for ROM, strength, instability tests and flexibility of musculature

59
Q

Cervical injury that affects somatosensory affects

A

arising from the muscle spindles, joint and pain receptors, or nerve roots of the cervical spine contribute to cervicogenic headache, and vertigo or dizziness

60
Q

smooth pursuit neck torsion test stimulate and look at what

A

Looking at the cervical spine influence verses vestibular issues

Stimulates the cervical proprioceptors but not the vestibular
Shown potential to identify abnormal cervical afferent input as the cause of sensorimotor control disturbances

61
Q

how do you test smooth pursuit neck torsion and what is a positive

A

Test: complete smooth pursuit in neutral then repeat in 45 degree left and right rotation

Positive: symptoms increase with head rotation in comparison to neutral position (if they increase in left rotation=left side problem)

62
Q

cervical joint position error test look at

A

proprioceptive abilities

63
Q

purpose of flexion-rotation test

A

Purpose: dysfunction in the C0-C2 to help determine C/S dysfunction and cervicogenic headaches
Cervicogenic headache is a chronic headache that arises from the atlanto-occipital and upper cervical joints and perceived in one or more regions of the head and/or face

64
Q

what is a positive flexion-rotation test

A

Flexion c/s fully and rotate to one side then the other
Normal 45 degree rotation
If firm resistance is encountered, pain provokes, and range is limited before suspected ROM, test is positive

65
Q

_% of athletes report dizziness as a symptom in first few days

A

50

66
Q

Symptoms of vestibular impairment

A

Unstable vision, difficulty focusing, motion discomfort, difficulty in visual environments, imbalance and dizziness

67
Q

what is Used to assess vestibular and ocular impairments after a concussion
Help to guide impairments for rehabilitation goals

A

VOMS

68
Q

what are the 5 domains of VOMS

A

Smooth pursuits
Vertical and horizontal Saccades
Near point of convergence
Vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR)
Visual motion sensitivity (VMS)

69
Q

how do you perfom smooth pursuit

A

The patient is instructed to maintain focus on the target as the examiner moves the target smoothly in the horizontal direction1.5 ft to the right and 1.5ft to the left of midline. One repetition is complete when target moves back and forth to the starting position and 2 repetitions are performed
Horizontal: Target is moved at a rate of 2 seconds for each direction (right to left and left to right).
Vertical: Repeat at the same rate (2 seconds) moving the target vertically 1.5 ft above and 1.5ft below midline for 2 complete repetitions up and down.

70
Q

how do you perform sacade

A

Horizontal: Examiner holds two single points (fingertips/targets) Horizontally at a distance of 3 ft from patient and 1.5 ft to the right and 1.5 ft to the left of midline so that the patient must gaze 30 degrees to the left and 30 degrees to the right. Once repetition is complete when the eyes move back and forth to the starting position. 10 repetitions are to be completed
Vertical: Repeat the test with 2 points held vertically at a distance of 3 ft from the patient and 1.5 ft above and 1.5 ft below midline so that the patient must gaze 30 degrees upward and 30 degrees downward

71
Q

how do you perform near point convergence

A

Examiner sits in front of the patient and observes their eye movement during this test. Patient focuses on a small target (approximately 14 font size) at arm’s length and slowly brings it toward the tip of their nose
The patient is instructed to stop moving the target when they see two distinct images or when the examiner observes an outward deviation of one eye

72
Q

what is an abdnormal near point convergence distance

A

ABNORMAL >to 6cm)

73
Q

VOMS assess what

A

Assess the ability to stabilize vision as the head moves

74
Q

visual motion sensitivity test what

A

Test visual motion sensitivity and the ability to inhibit vestibular –induced eye movements using vision

75
Q

Cervicogenic dizziness=caused by dysfunction in

A

upper cervical spine

76
Q

what is bening paroximal positional vertigo

A

Crystals dislodged to semicircle canals and interfere with normal fluid movement

77
Q

what is hallpike-dix test

A

Therapist holds head and patient is then assisted into supine position with head slightly below horizontal plane and position maintained for 30-60sec

positive with dizziness and nystagmus -> beningn paroximal positional vertigo

78
Q

what is orthostatic hypotension testing

A

Help to differentiate causes of dizziness

Have patient lay for 15 minutes to get resting BP
Have patient stand up and take BP

Within 2-3 minutes of standing a drop of 20mmHg in systolic BP and/or 10mmHg in diastolic BP is a positive test

79
Q

what is head impulse test

A

Used to assess angular vestibular ocular reflex (aVOR)

Test
Pt fixes eyes on target (examiner’s nose)
Explain to pt they need to try not to blink and relax neck muscles
Explain you will complete small but rapid head movements
Examiner will develop a rapid head movement (10 degrees) and assess for a corrective or compensatory saccade response

80
Q

what do you first need to assess before doing head impulse test

A

clear C/S for adequate pain free ROM and vertebral artery test

81
Q

absolute contraindication of BCTT

A

unwilling to exercise, increase risk fro cardiopulmonary disease
focal neurologic deficit
significant balance deficit, visual deficit, orthopedic injurury

82
Q

relative contraindication to performing BCTT

A

beta-blocker use, major depression, don’t understand english

minor balance deficit, visual deficit or orthopedic injury. SBP > 140 mmHg or DBP > 90 mmHg
obsesity: BMI > 30 kgm

83
Q

T/F Brain CT (or MRI) contribute a lot to concussion evaluation but should be used whenever suspicion of an intracerebral or structural lesion (i.e. hematoma or fracture)

A

false, little

84
Q

T/F Functional MRI (fMRI) demonstrate activation patterns that correlate with symptom severity and recovery in concussion

A

T

85
Q

what is use to assess cerebral blood flow

A

PET scan

86
Q

Early studies are suggesting that an increase in CVR is a response to

A

the tissue demands that require oxygen/nutrients and removal of metabolic waste

87
Q

why In the initial days following injury, physical and cognitive rest has been strongly encouraged (24-48 hours)

A

Neurometabolic crisis= increase energy demand may hinder recovery
Vulnerability of second injury= overlapping injury=greater damage to axons
Decrease in neuroplasticity biomarkers

88
Q

Neuroplasticity changes after concussion

A

Overtime the brain gets tired and uses more energy and blood supply to use this more difficult and inefficient pathway

3+months of concussion symptoms=change in neuroplasticity and becomes bodies new norm

89
Q

what can be a breach of duty with concussion

A

Failure to warn, educate,
train
Premature return to play
Mismanagement/misdiagnos
Failure to Evaluate/Test/Monitor
Failure to refer

89
Q

To prove negligence, the athlete must be able to substantiate ALL of the following

A

Conduct by the AT
Existence of duty
Breach of duty
Causation
Harm/damage

90
Q

what do you MUST do with concussion

A

Written Concussion management plan on file
Evals- from trained staff
No same day RTP
Athletes cleared by physician
Acknowledgement (education, reporting)

91
Q

what do you need to documented with a concussion

A

Document ALL pertinent information
Document communication with athlete
Document the “negatives” (things not observed)
If it is not documented, it didn’t happen!!