Analysis of baseline testing for improving the detection, education, and management of concussion

Abstract

Intro: Concussion is becoming increasingly important within professional sports and has attracted significant formal and social media attention. The exact neuropathological processes in concussion have yet to be clarified and the wide variety of signs and symptoms of concussion are not widely appreciated.
Aims: To ascertain whether baseline testing in Professional Cricket aids or alters the diagnosis/management of concussion, and whether it contributes to the knowledge and awareness of concussion among the cricketers. A secondary aim was to ascertain if there was a difference in awareness between cricketers and other contact sports.
Method: A pilot study involved 57 players from 4 professional County Cricket Clubs and the main multicentre study involved 655 players from 17 professional County Cricket Clubs. Comparison groups for the awareness of concussion involved 61 Rugby Union players and 64 Rugby League players.
Results: There was an increase in reported concussions in County Cricket, but these increases were not statistically significant.
There was an increase in levels of knowledge about concussion in professional cricket, but these improvements were not statistically significant.
There were no significant differences in awareness of concussion between professional cricketers and professional Rugby Union and Rugby League Players.
Conclusions: The study demonstrated an improvement in the diagnosis of concussion and in the knowledge of the signs and symptoms of concussion over the 3yr study period. It is highly likely that future continued work will be able to demonstrate significance in improving concussion management and the associated sequelae.