Concussion in cricket: Clinical findings using Sport Concussion Assessment Tool and recovery timeframes

Abstract

Objectives To retrospectively review data of concussed and non-concussed elite cricket athletes following head impact to describe which clinical features on the day of injury are associated with concussion diagnosis. A secondary aim was to describe the recovery time of concussed athletes. Design Retrospective cohort study. Methods This study reviewed five seasons of Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) data and clinical records for elite male and female cricket athletes who sustained a head impact during a cricket match or training. Results Data from 30 concussed and 37 non-concussed athletes were compared. Symptoms of ‘don’t feel right’ and ‘feeling slowed down’ had the strongest clinical utility for a concussion diagnosis post head impact. Concussed athletes reported a significantly lower ‘percent of normal’ (median 60%, IQR 60–90%) compared to athletes who sustained a non-concussive head impact (median 99%, IQR 95–100%, p = 0.003). No other component of the SCAT distinguished concussed from non-concussed athletes on day of injury. Concussed athletes typically experienced symptom resolution within 2–8 days and completed a graded return to play protocol within 4–14 days. No differences in SCAT findings or recovery times were observed between genders. Conclusion The SCAT may be used as a clinical tool to assist in diagnosis of concussionin elite cricket athletes. The components of the SCAT with the greatest clinical utility on day of injury were athlete-reported symptoms and ‘percent of normal’. Concussed cricket athletes typically complete their graded return to play protocol within 14 days however individualised management is paramount.

Association of Preexisting Mental Health Conditions With Increased Initial Symptom Count and Severity Score on SCAT5 When Assessing Concussion

“…Not only does the latest version of the SCAT5 not require the completion of a baseline assessment, 22 but also baseline assessments are not practical outside of athletes participating in certain organized sports. Normative data are readily available for athletes with a valid baseline and acute SCAT5 evaluations, 11,15,27,58 excluding individuals with neurological and balance disorders, 27 concomitant illness or injury, 58 and multiple evaluations for suspected concussion or multiple prospective diagnosed concussions. 11 However, these normative values may not be applicable to all individuals post-concussion given that the current study has provided evidence to suggest that some preexisting mental health conditionssuch as anxiety, depression, and learning disabilities in adults and athletes 16,43,53,72,84,88,92 -may be associated with differences in symptom number and severity post-injury.…”