06-01-2012- memo from mcps-md supt starr to bd of ed re concussion issues

7/29/2019 06-01-2012- Memo From MCPS-Md Supt Starr to Bd of Ed Re Concussion Issues

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ATTACHMENT E

1

Montgomery County Public Schools

Office of the Chief Operating Officer

Athletics Unit

June 1, 2012

Frequently Asked Questions

Concussion Baseline Testing

What is baseline testing?

Baseline testing is a generic term for various neuropsychological tests that have been designed toassist in determining whether an athlete is sufficiently recovered from a concussion to return to activeparticipation. Baseline testing is most commonly administered via an interactive computer program.The most well known type of baseline test is ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessmentand Cognitive Testing). This test, which was developed in the 1990s, measures multiple aspects ofcognitive functioning in athletes, including:

x Attention spanx Working memoryx Sustained and selective attention timex Response variabilityx Non-verbal problem solvingx Reaction time

How does baseline testing work?Athletes take a test involving various areas of cognitive performance prior to the start of a season inorder to establish a baseline of their cognitive skills. If a player suffers a concussion, subsequenttests are administered and compared to the baseline test to determine whether the player is

sufficiently recovered to return to play. It is used in conjunction with other tools and assessmenttechniques, and medical clearance is required before an athlete may return to play.

What are the benefits of baseline testing?

Baseline testing provides a battery of information that may be used by an athletes medical providerto assess his/her level of cognitive functioning following a concussion. Such a tool should be used aspart of an athletes comprehensive medical treatment. The test is a computer-based assessment, iseasy to administer, and usually takes less than 30 minutes for an athlete to complete.

What are the challenges with baseline testing?

The test is oriented toward neuropsychologists, physicians with specialized training, and in some

instances, athletic trainers. Baseline testing was created by psychologists and is DFRJQLWLYHWHVWnota medical test. Baseline testing is not widely administered, and there are no local health clinics ormedical facilities that administer baseline testing. One of the few local sports therapy organizationsthat offers ImPACT testing is Metro Orthopedics & Sports Therapy (MOST).


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ATTACHMENT E

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What are some issues associated with schools administering baseline tests?

First, baseline tests are neuropsychological tests that should only be administered by doctors,trainers, or medical professionals who are specifically trained in implementing ImPACT tests.Second, schools would be responsible for maintaining these records.

How widespread is baseline testing?

According to ImPACT literature, ImPACT is used at more than 1,000 high schools, colleges,sports medicine centers, and professional teams throughout the world. The large majority of highschools do not administer ImPACT testing. Locally, Howard and Fairfax counties require thatathletes undergo baseline testing. Both of these school systems have full-time athletic trainers whoassist in implementing the baseline tests and subsequent retests when an athlete suffers a concussion.

How many MCPS schools administer baseline testing?

Eight MCPS high schools currently administer baseline testing to varying degrees: Bethesda-ChevyChase, Montgomery Blair, Winston Churchill, Walter Johnson, Quince Orchard, RichardMontgomery, Walt Whitman, and Thomas S. Wootton. In some instances, the test is administered byathletic directors, coaches, and parents who have been trained to administer the test. At other

schools, the test is administered by members of the staff at Childrens National Medical Center(Bethesda-Chevy Chase), a doctor from Medstar (Richard Montgomery), certified athletic trainers(Montgomery Blair and Quince Orchard), and a booster representative trained by ImPACT(Thomas S. Wootton). The test is optional at all eight schools.

Are MCPS high school principals and athletic directors aware of facts and issues regarding

baseline testing?

Yes. Baseline testing has been discussed at MCPS high school athletic director and principalmeetings.

What is the financial impact of implementing baseline testing for MCPS athletes?It depends. MCPS schools offering ImPACT testing pay $750 per school for use of the ImPACT

software. Systemwide use might result in a lower cost per school. Another factor would involvewhether the school system would require that all athletes be tested or if participation would bevoluntary. Voluntary testing would likely result in significantly fewer students being tested,especially in sports not typically associated with head injuries. Further, schools do not have to testathletes every year (typically, every two years is considered sufficient). Finally, schools currently areusing the services of volunteers to implement the tests. Systemwide implementation may requirefinancial resources to compensate test administrators.

Analysis

ImPACT or baseline testing can provide useful information. Their usefulness is enhanced in statessuch as Virginia where full-time athletic trainers are allowed to evaluate test results and render

subsequent return to play decisions. In Maryland, COMAR does not provide athletic trainers withthis authority.

It is difficult to ignore that the MCPS schools that currently offer ImPACT testing tend to be inmore affluent areas of the county, even though ImPACT testing is not overly expensive. This maybe a matter that merits consideration.


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06-01-2012- memo from mcps-md supt starr to bd of ed re concussion issues

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