Sport concussion assessment in New Zealand high school rugby players: a collaborative approach to the challenges faced in primary care. (28th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Salmon, Danielle M.; Chua, Jason; Sullivan, S. John; Whatman, Chris; Brown, James; Register-Mihalik, Johna; Murphy, Ian; Walters, Simon; Clacy, Amanda; Sole, Gisela; Kerr, Zachary Y.; Rasmussen, Karen; England, Mike
• Is Part Of: Brain injury. Volume 36:Number 2(2022)
• Page Start: 258
• Page End: 270
• Publication Date: 2022-01-28
• Subjects: Rugby union -- concussion -- head injury -- baseline -- normative data; Brain damage -- Periodicals; Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Brain Injuries -- Periodicals; 617.481
• DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2022.2033839
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9052

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Primary Objective: To describe the collaborative development of a New Zealand Rugby Concussion Assessment (NZRCA) for primary care and to provide normative baseline data from a representative group of high school rugby players. Methods: This study, conducted over the 2018 and 2019 community rugby season where players were baseline tested during the pre- or start of season period. Results: Data were collected from 1428 players (males n = 1121, females n = 307) with a mean age of 15.9 ± 1.4 years. The mean ± SD symptom severity score was 11.3 ± 8.6, the mean number of endorsed symptoms was 8.5 ± 5.3 and the percentage feeling "normal" was 80.2 ± 15.3%. Only 5.3% of players reported no symptoms at baseline. The most common reported were: 'distracted easily' (72.5%), 'forgetful' (68.5%), and 'often tired' (62.6%). None of the participants achieved a perfect score for the SAC50. The majority of participants (89.7%) passed the tandem gait test with a time of 12.2 ± 1.7 seconds. Age, gender, and ethnicity were associated with NZRCA performance; albeit weakly. Conclusion: This study provides normative reference values for high-school rugby players. These data will aid healthcare providers in their identification of suspected concussion in the absence of individualized baselines.