The incidence of head injuries are rising for student athletes at all levels of play. One study estimates 4 to 5 million concussions occur annually, with increased rates emerging among middle school players. Students who had multiple concussions took longer to recover. In California as of January 2012 a new law became effective that required a child suspected of having a concussion or head injury to obtain clearance from a health professional before returning to play. But it can be difficult to diagnose and manage concussions in kids, many of them are active and competitive athletes who simply don’t want to stop playing sports. Studies have shown kids may minimize their symptoms or even skip reporting them altogether.
At PWG we have been using ImPACT testing to help us evaluate and manage concussions in our patients, and it has been a very safe, reliable and effective tool. ImPACT is a 20 minute computerized program developed by the University of Pittsburg Medical Center to assist in concussion management. The test measures your child’s verbal memory, visual memory, processing speed and reaction time. It is used as a tool when evaluating your child for a concussion. ImPACT does not diagnose a concussion, but informs the provider if there is a change in the way your child’s brain functions after an injury.
We are now starting a baseline testing program for our patients ages 11 years and up. We are offering this non-insurance covered testing for a rate of $35/person. Each baseline ImPACT test will be reviewed by one of our certified ImPACT consultants, Dr. Eileen Chan or Dr. Niki Saxena, for validity. If it appears that your child’s test is invalid, you will be notified by phone to discuss the findings and it may be recommended that your child retake the test; in that case the re-test fee is $25.00. You will be given a copy of your child’s ImPACT test results to keep for your records. Sleep can affect the baseline results, so make sure your child is well rested prior to any baseline testing. Most insurance companies cover post-injury testing if your child sustains a concussion.
If you are interested in getting a baseline ImPACT test for your child, please call our office at 650.216.7794 to set up an appointment. This is another way we can foster wellness in our kids.
