Test your Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) -IQ
1) Which of the following tests are used to evaluate TBIs?
- SCAT (Sport Concussion Assessment Tool)
- GOAL (Gait Observation and Analysis of Locomotion)
- BEST (Brain Evaluation Sideline Test)
2) Kids are generally resilient, and often close to symptom free in 2 weeks following a mTBI, whereas adults typically require 4 weeks. T or F?
3) After a concussion, the guiding principle is “Rest is Best” until fully symptom free. T or F?
4) What is the single greatest predictor that someone will experience a mTBI?
5) Which is the most likely approximation of how often a mTBI occurs in the US?
- One every second
- One every 15 seconds
- One every minute
- One every 15 minutes
- One every 30 minutes
6) What percent of those who suffer a TBI experience visual symptoms?
7) A concussion is defined as a strike to the head resulting in loss of consciousness. T or F?
8) An afternoon at the mall, shopping with friends, is a relaxing break after a concussion. T or F?
9) An MRI is often indicated to help diagnose a concussion. T or F?
10) Most doctors are very familiar with treating concussion patients. T or F?
Answers are Below.
If you’d like to learn more, please visit our website TBI page, and/or feel free to contact me – 540-953-0136, or sjacobs07@comcast.net. The brain is fascinating. It’s worth knowing how to protect it and how to help it if it’s hurt.
The Answers
1) SCAT – Sport Concussion Assessment Tool – is frequently used by medical professionals to assess concussions (both sports and non-sports related). Its current edition is SCAT5. For children under 12, the appropriate version is the Child SCAT5. The other two tests sound good but aren’t real (at least not yet).
2) False – Even though kids are resilient in many ways, their developing nervous systems are more sensitive to insult than are adults. On average, children require close to 4 weeks for most to be almost symptom free following a mTBI, whereas most adults are mostly better after two weeks.
3) False – Total rest, physical and mental, is recommended for the first day or two, maybe even a week following TBI. Beyond this period, “patients can be encouraged to become gradually and progressively more active while staying below their cognitive and physical symptom-exacerbation thresholds (ie, activity level should not bring on or worsen their symptoms).”
4) A prior TBI increases the likelihood of someone experiencing a TBI more than any other factor.
5) In the US, a TBI occurs one every 15 seconds – on an annual basis this translates to approximately 2,000,000.
6) Approximately 90% of those who suffer a TBI will experience one or more visual symptoms.
7) False – Concussions occur more often without, than with, loss of consciousness. A direct blow to the head is not necessary for a concussion to occur, only that an impulsive force is transmitted to the head.
8) False – visually and auditorily busy environments can be very stressful following a TBI.
9) False -MRIs are often ordered but very rarely demonstrate structural damage if it is not already suspected.
10) False – most doctors do not have significant experience working with concussive patients, particularly beyond the initial couple of weeks following the injury.