Prediction of post-concussional sequelae by reaction time test

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine whether it was possible by a reaction time (RT) test to predict if a patient was to complain of sequelae after a cerebral concussion. 55 patients had an RT test performed 1-5 days after concussion. The test showed a significant (P less than 0.02) prolongated RT in patients having postconcussional sequelae (median 186 ms) after 1 month (27 patients, 49%) compared to the patients without sequelae (median 168 ms). Patients with sequelae after 3 months (12 patients, 22%) also had a prolongation of RT (median 183 ms) although non-significant. These results supports a structural organic etiology for postconcussional sequelae.

Emotional, neuropsychological, and organic factors: their use in the prediction of persisting postconcussion symptoms after moderate and mild head injuries.

“…Neuropsychologial measures such as paragraph recall tests have similarly shown little correlation with PCS'9 and reaction time tasks have shown both no relation20 and positive correlation. 17 More consistent findings have come from measures of divided attention. The paced auditory serial addition test (PASAT)21 and Stroop test22 have both been shown to directly mirror the level of PCS reported during the recovery period.2'25 Neither of these tests, however, was able to predict early on those King patients likely to experience persisting symptoms three months after injury.…”

Psychological Knowledge in Court

“…Most surveys that have been conducted of this syndrome identify headache as the primary problem (Alves et al, 1993;Brown et al, 1994;Edna & Cappelen, 1987;Evans, 2004;Jacobsen et al, 1987;Middleboe et al, 1992;Rutherford, 1979). Painrelated impairment of function may be most important in cases of postconcussive syndrome (PCS).…”