Brigitta Beck Aspiring Neuropsychologist
Got ImPACT?
November 23, 2016
Many communities still misunderstand the importance of ImPACT testing.
ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and
Cognitive Testing) is a credible concussion evaluation
system. It is a computer-based test that provides a baseline
measurement of brain performance. If a concussion is
suspected, the ImPACT test will be repeated and compared
to the initial baseline report. This allows healthcare
professionals to determine the severity of the injury.
On-going ImPACT tests tell how the patient is progressing
and what specific areas of rehabilitation need to be
addressed. An ImPACT test takes about 25 minutes to
administer by a trained person. More about ImPACT here.
Some student athletes purposely try to “fail” the test to lower their scores so a future concussion won’t show up, wanting to keep their sport and hoping to play-through the concussion. (Shockingly, parents sometimes encourage this attitude.) They must realize that a concussion, if not treated properly, can have major complications in their future life. In fact, ImPACT baseline tests can help the student athlete recover more quickly – and back at top performance – when their concussion is properly diagnosed and healed.
Further, it is critical that the tests are administered by well-trained professionals so the baseline reports are accurate. ImPACT testing should NOT be done “just to do it” for liability protection. They should be done accurately to provide meaningful data for treatment.
Communities must be carefully informed about the dangers of concussive brain trauma and the importance of ImPACT. When the benefits are fully understood, communities are more willing to accept the “changes” that ImPACT brings to a school’s athletic program. These changes are VERY positive, indeed!
For brain wellness, it should be mandatory for ALL student athletes to take an ImPACT test at the beginning of their school year (or season). One can argue that everyone should have an ImPACT baseline test included in their medical records, because you never know …
Brigitta Beck © 2018
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