A concussion is the most common type of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Every concussion is different; symptoms and recovery depend on the nature of the injury, the patient’s age, and overall health, among other factors.
One of the best ways to evaluate a person’s brain health is by comparing post-concussion brain function with pre-concussion brain function. ImPACT concussion testing provides before and after comparisons that measure your memory, reaction time, and processing speed.
[H2] What is ImPACT?
ImPACT stands for Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing. It is a computerized test that measures attention span, memory, and verbal and visual problem-solving. It takes about 25 minutes to complete.
ImPACT is used as:
- A baseline test to measure an individual’s performance baseline.
- A post-injury test to analyze against the baseline test scores.
ImPACT helps healthcare providers evaluate an individual’s post-injury condition and aids in tracking recovery. It can also play a role in the overall evaluation to determine when a person can safely continue pursuing their chosen sport.
ImPACT is not a diagnostic test. However, it does measure a component of a patient’s recovery from a concussion.
[H2] What Is a Baseline Test?
A baseline test is used to establish a benchmark performance score when an athlete or other patient is in their regular, non-concussed state. Ideally, the test should be performed before the sports season begins. The baseline test is valid for up to two years. A baseline test does not evaluate an athlete for a concussion, prevent future concussion, identify past concussions, or determine if they are predisposed to a concussion.
What it does is offer a pre-concussion picture of a person’s brain, which can be compared to an ImPACT test taken soon after the traumatic event.
[H2] More About the ImPACT Test
Besides ImPACT being a computerized baseline test, know that it takes approximately 25 minutes to complete. The test can be taken individually or with a team/group. The test results may help gauge when an athlete may resume play and assist in the development of an effective rehabilitation plan. To learn more about how the Opto-mization approach can compliment the ImPACT concussion test, contact Opto-mization NeuroVisual Performance today.
Our practice serves patients from Victoria, Nanaimo, Duncan, and Vancouver Island, British Columbia and surrounding communities.
