Citation

MacDonald J, Patel N, Young J, Stuart E. J. Pediatr. 2018; 194: 177-181.

Affiliation

Orthopedic Institute, Children's Hospital Colorado, Sports Medicine Center, Aurora, CO; Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jpeds.2017.10.032

PMID

29198541

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine which data collected on an initial patient clinic visit for a sports-related concussion (SRC) might influence physicians to clear an adolescent to return to drive (RTD) after injury. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study of 189 adolescents with a SRC referred to a hospital-based concussion clinic between June 1, 2015, and May 31, 2016. Subjects were ≥16 years with a valid driver's license (median age = 16, IQR [16, 17]). Concussion evaluations included Post-Concussion Symptom Scale, modified Balance Error Scoring System, and postinjury computerized neurocognitive testing (CNT). Clearance for RTD was the main outcome. Statistical comparisons were conducted with Mann-Whitney U and χ2 tests and logistic regression.

RESULTS: In multivariable analysis, odds of being fully cleared to drive were 5.9-fold greater among patients who were administered CNT. Stated symptoms of "headache" and "sensitivity to light" were statistically significantly associated with RTD clearance. For a subset of 113 individuals undergoing CNT, each additional 10-millisecond decrease in simple reaction time was associated with 9% greater odds of being cleared to drive. Each additional 10-millisecond decrease in choice reaction time was associated with 4% greater odds of being cleared to drive.

CONCLUSIONS: CNT and associated reaction time measures may facilitate a physician's objective decision-making. Making a RTD determination for adolescents recovering from an SRC should be a core component of a physician's assessment.

Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Language: en

Keywords

BESS test; CogState; PCSS; computerized neurocognitive test; reaction time