Sensitivity and Specificity of the Online Version of ImPACT in High School and Collegiate Athletes
- 9 November 2012
- journal article
- Published by SAGE Publications in The American Journal of Sports Medicine
- Vol. 41 (2), 321-326
- https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546512466038
Abstract
Background: The utility of postconcussion neurocognitive testing versus symptom data has been debated. The sensitivity of the desktop version of the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) tool has been documented, but psychometric properties of the recently released online version of ImPACT have yet to be fully established. Purpose: To document the sensitivity of the online ImPACT version in samples of (1) symptomatic concussed (high school and collegiate) athletes, and (2) asymptomatic concussed (high school and collegiate) athletes suspected of hiding their concussions. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: A total of 81 athletes observed to sustain a concussion by a certified athletic trainer or team physician, a finding that was confirmed with reported postconcussion symptoms, completed the ImPACT test within 3 days of injury. Data were compared with an independent sample of 81 athletes who completed preseason baseline cognitive assessments using ImPACT and who were matched (with concussed athletes) on the basis of sex, age, sport, concussion history, and absence of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and learning disability. An independent group of 37 athletes who were also observed to sustain a concussion completed ImPACT within 3 days of injury. These athletes reported no postconcussion symptoms but were noted for suspected invalid response patterns on ImPACT (Impulse Control index >30 and Verbal Memory index <69%). The subscale data from the assessments (excluding those contributing to the aforementioned indices) were compared with a matched sample of 37 athletes who completed preseason baseline cognitive assessments in ImPACT (using the same criteria described above). Results: Data from the ImPACT online version yielded 91.4% sensitivity and 69.1% specificity. For asymptomatic athletes suspected of hiding their concussion, data from ImPACT yielded 94.6% sensitivity and 97.3% specificity. Conclusion: The online version of the ImPACT tool is a valid measure of neurocognitive performance at the acute stages of concussion, with high levels of sensitivity and specificity, even when athletes appear to be denying postconcussion symptoms.Keywords
This publication has 21 references indexed in Scilit:
- Clinical utility of ImPACT assessment for postconcussion return-to-play counseling: Psychometric issuesJournal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, 2012
- Computerized Neuropsychological Assessment Devices: Joint Position Paper of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology and the National Academy of NeuropsychologyArchives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 2012
- Emergency Department Visits for Concussion in Young Child AthletesPediatrics, 2010
- The growing public health concern of sports concussion: The new psychology practice frontier.Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 2007
- SENSITIVITY OF THE CONCUSSION ASSESSMENT BATTERYNeurosurgery, 2007
- The “Value Added” of Neurocognitive Testing after Sports-Related ConcussionThe American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2006
- Sensitivity and specificity of the ImPACT Test Battery for concussion in athletesArchives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 2006
- Recovery from sports concussion in high school and collegiate athletesBrain Injury, 2006
- Standard regression-based methods for measuring recovery after sport-related concussionJournal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 2005
- Computerised cognitive assessment of athletes with sports related head injuryBritish Journal of Sports Medicine, 2001