Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 2

The Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport of the 3rd International Conference on Concussion in Sport¹ includes a Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 2 (SCAT2)² for standardized assessment by medical and health professionals (team physicians, certified athletic trainers, neuropsychologists) of sports concussion in athletes ages 10 years and older, and for making return to play (RTP) decisions.  It enables the calculation of the Standardized Assessment of Concussion score and sideline assessment and supersedes the original SCAT published in 2005.

Although the SCAT2 is designed for use by medical and health professionals, it includes a page of information to be given to the athlete and his parents when, after examination in an emergency room or doctor's office, no sign of any serious complications have been found, and he is allowed to return home, including:

• signs to watch for during the first 24-48 hours requiring immediate hospitalization. Because the onset of symptoms of concussion may be delayed - especially in young athletes - the athlete should not be left alone and should be monitored by a parent or other responsible adult for signs, such as change in behavior, vomiting, dizziness, worsening headache, double vision or excessive drowsiness, requiring immediate hospitalization;

• a list of other important points, including

  • the need for rest and avoiding strenuous activity for at least 24 hours

  • not consuming alcohol or taking sleeping tablets

  • not using aspirin or anti-inflammatory medication( acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol®) or codeine only for headache)

  • not driving until medically cleared

  • and returning to sports only after following a stepwise, symptom-limited progressive exercise program and obtaining medical clearance.

1. Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport: the 3rd International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich, November 2008.  Br. J. Sports Med. 20090: 43:i76-i84.

Revised and updated: June 30, 2009