Test May Show Mild Concussion

A simple test done on the sidelines of a game can help to detect a mild concussion, researchers say. Often the symptoms of a mild concussion are very subtle. The new test involves reading a series of numbers off index-size cards. People are told to read them as quickly as possible without errors. Each player first takes the test at the beginning of the season. Then the test is given again if a player takes a hard hit in a game. The reading speed is compared to the baseline test. A delay of more than 5 seconds suggests a concussion. In a study of 39 boxers, researchers found that test times lagged an average of 11 seconds for those who had a concussion. For boxers who had been knocked out, reading time increased about 18 seconds. The journal Neurology published the study online. HealthDay News wrote about it February 12.