New Test for Concussions

A new evaluation has been found which allows physicians and athletic trainers to diagnose concussions earlier and with higher accuracy. The King-Devick test looks at the natural constant vibration of the eyes and their ability to track and focus on a special eye chart. The first half of the chart is a standard letter chart like one would find in an optometry office; however the second half staggers the letters so as to make the reader adjust their eyes vertically as well as horizontally at the same time. When taking the King-Devick test one must read through a line of letters specified by the tester as fast as possible, any kind of hesitation or inability to come up with the letter on the page can be indications of head trauma. It has proven itself in field tests where elite athletes of all contact sports administered the test before and after the event; scores on the test were significantly slower post activity than when they took it prior to their event. Though the test has been around for nearly 25 years, it has only recently been accepted as a viable way to test for concussions on the sidelines of athletic events. Cnn.com reported on the test here yesterday February 2, 2011.

This is an amazing test to have on the sidelines of athletic events to prevent injury of a player who is suspected of having a concussion but is not showing any of the typical symptoms. Until this test, sideline assessment of head trauma has largely been up to evaluators judgement with no concrete way to determine the injury without taking the athlete to the hospital for further tests. I think this test will do wonders in youth and high school athletics when the adolescent brain is still undergoing development, to administer a before and after test of every athlete may be quite daunting but hopefully in the future having a pre game evaluation will not be necessary. The only question I have with this research does not pertain to the research itself but rather the consequences it may cause down the road should the results show a significant number of kids are suffering from head trauma during athletics because that could lead to rule changes in the sports we all love.