Works Cited:
Alsalaheen, B., Stockdale, K., Pechumer, D. & Broglio, S.P. (2016). Validity of the Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT). Sports Med, 46, 1487–1501 https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0532-y This was a systematic review article that identified the validity of the ImPACT test on athletes with concussions. The results found that the ImPACT is in fact a valid test, if used correctly. It is really important to get baseline scores from athletes, and have athletes come in within 72 hours of their concussion to help keep the test results accurate and useable. Also the ImPACT is best used when a part of a holistic set of scores for an athlete to determine their return to play.
Fink, D. (2015, May 19). The Fencing Response. The Concussion Blog. https://theconcussionblog.com/2015/05/09/the-fencing-response/. This is an article in The Consussion Blog that talks about what fencing response is and is one of the first posts that talks about fencing response as a brain injury in athletes. This is a very reputable blog that talks about several important topics for concussions in a way that everyone can understand and appreciate.
Giordano, K.R., Lifshitz, J. (2021). Pathophysiology of Traumatic Brain Injury. Traumatic Brain Injury. Springer, Cham. 13-18 https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-78075-3_2 This is a textbook exerpt that introduces the topic of posturing, or the fencing response. This exerpt talks about what posturing is and how a blow to the head, specifically the midbrain, can activate the fencing response and cause involuntary flexion in parts of the body like the arms, fingers and legs.
Harmon, K.G, Clugston, J.R, Dec, K., (2019) et al. American Medical Society for Sports Medicine position statement on concussion in sport British Journal of Sports Medicine; Vol.53 (4), 213-225. This is a statement that is provided by several concussion experts to update the overall medical definition and explanation of what a concussion is, what the major symptoms are and what the current testing is for concussion related injuries. Concussion measures highlighted in this article as effective testing measures include the SCAT-5, ImPACT, and VOMS. These are all highlighted and explained in detail in this website.
Kontos, A.P., Covassin, T., Elbin, R.J., & Parker, T. (2012) Depression and Neurocognitive Performance After Concussion Among Male and Female High School and Collegiate Athletes Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation 93.(10) 1751-1756 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apmr.2012.03.032 This journal article looks specifically at college athletes after they have sustained a concussion and the amount that develop depression an what their neurocognitive performance is. Results found that there was and increase of athletes developing depression. This is important because the SCAT-5 measures emotional symptoms and symptom reporting during the SCAT-5 can be a potential determining factor in developing depression post concussion.
McLeod, V.,Tamara, C. Perrin, D.H., Guskiewicz, K.M., Shultz, S.J., Diamond, R., & Gansnader, B.M. (2004). Serial Administration of Clinical Concussion Assessments and Learning Effects in Healthy Young Athletes. Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine 14.(5), 287-295 Results found that in student athletes ages 9-14, there was a slight learning effect in participants who performed the BESS assessment. This is important to note when looking at the BESS as a measure of concussion because it could affect recovery time for athletes. This study was only done in 25 athletes so that is an important limitation in the study.
Reneker, J.C., Moughiman, M.C, & Cook, C.E. (2015). The diagnostic utility of clinical tests for differentiating between cervicogenic and other causes of dizziness after a sports-related concussion: An international Delphi study. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, Vol.18(4), 366-372. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2014.05.002 Results showed that most experts disagree as to the effectiveness of several different tests used to differentiate between concussion related dizziness and other causes of dizziness. The VOMS assessment, which is highlighted in this website, utilizes some of the tests studied in the article. “Smooth Pursuits” are discussed and gives a relatively high agreement in clinical researchers as opposed to other testing methods.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Decorticate Posture: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. Retrieved December 10, 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003300.htm This is a brief article from the National Library of Medicine highlighting what decorticate posturing is and what the consequences of decorticate posturing are. This is a brief, but informational webpage, is packed with the most important information for anyone who wants to know brief information about posturing.
U.S. National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Decorticate posture: Medlineplus medical encyclopedia. MedlinePlus. Retrieved December 10, 2022, from https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003300.htm This is a similar article from the National Library of medicine explaining what decorticate posturing is and what parts of the brain it affects. This shows an important distinction between the two different types of posturing and how decorticate posturing differs from decerebrate.
Weber, M.L., Dean, J.L., Hoffman, N.L., Broglio, S. P., McCrea, M., McAllister, T.W., & Schmidt, J.D. (2018). Influences of Mental Illness, Current Psychological State, and Concussion History on Baseline Concussion Assessment Performance. American Journal of Sports Medicine 46(7), 1742-1751. DOI: 10.1177/0363546518765145 This is a journal article that measures the mental health of athletes in association to their performance on three of the four basic concussion screening measures, BESS, ImPACT, and SCAT-5. This is an important study that shows how important each of these measures are to the individual athletes and their history with previous concussions and anxiety and depression.
Yorke, A.M., Smith, L., Babcock, M., & Alsalaheen, B., (2016) Validity and Reliability of the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening and Associations With Common Concussion Screening Tools. American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine. 9(2), 174-180. https://doi.org/10.1177/1941738116678411 This article tests the validity and reliability of the vestibular ocular motor screening also known as the VOMS. The study found that the VOMS were good at making sure that healthy participants didn’t get symptoms from the tests which is important for making sure that all of the results that come from the issues revolving around concussions. Not only did the results show that the test was reliable, the article also shows that the VOMS give a unique perspective that is not otherwise shown in other concussion tests.