Sport Concussion Assessment Tool for children ages 5 to 12 years
The Child SCAT3 is a standardized tool for evaluating injured children for concussion and can be used in children aged from 5 to 12 years. It supersedes the original SCAT and the SCAT2 published in 2005 and 2009, respectively'. For older persons, ages 13 years and over, please use the SCAB. The Child SCAT3 is designed for use by medical professionals. If you are not qualified, please use the Sport Concussion Recognition Tool.Preseason baseline testing with the Child SCAT3 can be helpful for interpreting post-injury test scores.
Specific instructions for use of the Child SCAT3 are provided on page 3. If you are not familiar with the Child SCAT3, please read through these instructions carefully. This tool may be freely copied in its current form for distribution to individuals, teams, groups and organizations. Any revision and any reproduction in a digital form require approval by the Concussion in Sport Group. NOTE: The diagnosis of a concussion is a clinical judgment, ideally made by a medical professional. The Child SCAT3 should not be used solely to make, or exclude, the diagnosis of concussion in the ab· sence of clinical judgement. An athlete may have a concussion even if their Child SCAT3 is "normal".
A concussion is a disturbance in brain function caused by a direct or indirect force to the head. It results in a variety of non-specific signs and/or symptoms (like those listed below) and most often does not involve loss of consciousness. Concussion should be suspected in the presence of any one or more of the following:
NOTE: A hit to the head can sometimes be associated with a more severe brain injury. If the concussed child displays any of the following, then do not proceed with the Child SCAT3; instead activate emergency procedures and urgent transportation to the nearest hospital:
Glasgow Coma score (E + V + M)
If any of the following signs are observed after a direct or indirect blow to the head, the child should stop participation, be evaluated by a medical professional and should not be permitted to return to sport the same day if a concussion is suspected.
"I am going to ask you a few questions, please listen carefully and give your best effort."
Modified Maddocks questions (1 point for each correct answer)
Child-Maddocks score is for sideline diagnosis of concussion only and is not used for serial testing.
Any child with a suspected concussion should be REMOVED FROM PLAY, medically assessed and monitored for deterioration {i.e., should not be left alone). No child diagnosed with concussion should be returned to sports participation on the day of Injury.
Child Report
Overall rating for parent/teacher/coach/carer to answer.
How different is the child acting compared to his/her usual self?
Scoring on the Child SCAT3 should not be used as a stand-alone method to diagnose concussion, measure recovery or make decisions about an athlete's readiness to return to competition after concussion.
Standardized Assessment of Concussion - Child Version (SAC-c)•
Orientation (1 point for each correct answer)
Concentration: Days in Reverse Order (1 pt. for entire sequence correct)
Do one or both of the following tests.
Upper limb coordination
Since signs and symptoms may evolve over time, it is important to consider repeat evaluation in the acute assessment of concussion.
Words in Italics throughout the Child SCAT3 are the instructions given to the child by the tester.
To be completed on the sideline/in the playground, immediately following concussion. There is no requirement to repeat these questions at follow-up.
In situations where the symptom scale is being completed after exercise, it should still be done in a resting state, at least 10 minutes post-exercise.
Ask each question on the score sheet. A correct answer for each question scores 1 point. If the child does not understand the question, gives an incorrect answer, or no answer, then the score for that question is 0 points.
"I am going to test your memory. I will read you a list of words and when I am done, repeat back as many words as you can remember. in any order."
"I am going to repeat the same list again. Repeat back as many words as you can remember in any order. even if you said the word before."
Complete all 3 trials regardless of score on trial 1 &2. Read the words at a rate of one per second. Score 1 pt. for each correct response. Total score equals sum across all 3 trials. Do not inform the child that delayed recall will be tested.
"I am going to read you a string of numbers and when I am done, you repeat them back to me backwards, in reverse order of how I read them to you. For example, if I say 7-1. you would say 1-Z"
If correct, go to next string length. If incorrect, read trial 2. One point possible for each string length. Stop after incorrect on both trials. The digits should be read at the rate of one per second.
"Now tell me the days of the week in reverse order. Start with Sunday and go backward. So you'll say Sunday. Saturday ... Go ahead"
1 pt. for entire sequence correct
The delayed recall should be performed after completion of the Balance and Coordination Examination.
"Do you remember that list of words I read a few times earlier? Tell me as many words from the list as you can remember in any order."
Circle each word correctly recalled. Total score equals number of words recalled.
These instructions are to be read by the person administering the child SCAT3, and each balance task should be demonstrated to the child. The child should then be asked to copy what the examiner demonstrated.
This balance testing is based on a modified version of the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS)'-A stopwatch or watch with a second hand is required for this testing.
"I am now going to test your balance. Please take your shoes off, roll up your pant legs above ankle (If applicable), and remove any ankle taping (if applicable). This test will consist of two different parts."
The first stance is standing with the feet together with hands on hips and with eyes closed. The child should try to maintain stability in that position for 20 seconds. You should inform the child that you will be counting the number of times the child moves out of this position. You should start timing when the child is set and the eyes are closed.
Instruct the child to stand heel-to-toe with the non-dominant foot in the back. Weight should be evenly distributed across both feet. Again. the child should try to maintain stability for 20 seconds with hands on hips and eyes closed. You should inform the child that you will be counting the number of times the child moves out of this position. If the child stumbles out of this position. instruct him/her to open the eyes and return to the start position and continue balancing. You should start timing when the child is set and the eyes are closed.
Each of the 20-second trials is scored by counting the errors, or deviations from the proper stance, accumulated by the child. The examiner will begin counting errors only after the child has assumed the proper start position. The modified BESS is calculated by adding one error point for each error during the two 20-second tests. The maximum total number of errors for any single condition is 10. If a child commits multiple errors simultaneously, only one error is recorded but the child should quickly return to the testing position, and counting should resume once the subject is set. Children who are unable to maintain the testing procedure for a minimum of five seconds at the start are assigned the highest possible score, ten, for that testing condition.
OPTION: For further assessment, the same 2 stances can be performed on a surface of medium density foam (e.g., approximately 50cmx40cmx6cm).
Use a clock (with a second hand) or stopwatch to measure the time taken to complete this task. Instruction for the examiner-Demonstrate the following to the child:
"The child is instructed to stand with their feet together behind a starting line (the test is best done with footwear removed). Then, they walk in a forward direction as quickly and as accurately as possible along with a 38mm wide (sports tape). 3-meter line with an alternate foot heel-to-toe gait ensuring that they approximate their heel and toe on each step. Once they cross the end of the 3m line, they tum 180 degrees and return to the starting point using the same gait. A total of 4 trials are done and the best time is retained. Children fail the test if they step off the line, have a separation between their heel and toe, or if they touch or grab the examiner or an object. In this case, the time is not recorded and the trial repeated, if appropriate. "
Explain to the child that you will time how long it takes them to walk to the end of the line and back.
Finger-to-nose (FTN) task:
The tester should demonstrate it to the child.
"I am going to test your coordination now. Please sit comfortably on the chair with your eyes open and your arm (either right or left) outstretched (shoulder flexed to 90 degrees and elbow and fingers extended). When I give a start signal. I would like you to perform five successive finger to nose repetitions using your index finger to touch the tip of the nose as quickly and as accurately as possible."
Scoring: 5 correct repetitions in< 4 seconds= 1
Note for testers: Children fail the test if they do not touch their nose, do not fully extend their elbow or do not perform five repetitions. Failure should be scored as 0.
Any child suspected of having a concussion should be removed from play. and then seek medical evaluation. The child must NOT return to play or sport on the same day as the suspected concussion.
Problems could arise over the first 24-48 hours. The child should not be left alone and must go to a hospital at once if they develop any of the following:
Remember, it is better to be safe.
Always consult your doctor after a suspected concussion.
Concussion may impact on the child's cognitive ability to learn at school. This must be considered, and medical clearance is required before the child may return to school. It is reasonable for a child to miss a day or two of school after concussion, but extended absence is uncommon. In some children, a graduated return to school program will need to be developed for the child. The child will progress through the return to school program provided that there is no worsening of symptoms. If any particular activity worsens symptoms, the child will abstain from that activity until it no longer causes symptom worsening. Use of computers and internet should follow a similar graduated program, provided that it does not worsen symptoms. This program should include communication between the parents, teachers, and health professionals and will vary from child to child. The return to school program should consider:
The child is not to return to play or sport until he/she has successfully returned to school/learning. without worsening of symptoms. Medical clearance should be given before return to play.
If there are any doubts, management should be referred to a qualified health practi-tioner, expert in the management of concussion in children.
There should be no return to play until the child has successfully returned to school/learning, without worsening of symptoms. Children must not be returned to play the same day of injury. When returning children to play, they should medically cleared and then follow a step wise supervised program, with stages of progression.
Rehabilitation stage
Functional exercise at each stage of rehabilitation
Objective of each stage
No activity
Physical and cognitive rest
Recovery
Light aerobic exercise
Walking, swimming or stationary cycling keeping intensity, 70% maximum predicted heart rate. No resistance training
Increase heart rate
Sport-specific exercise
Skating drills in ice hockey, running drills in soccer. No head impact activities
Add movement
Non-contact training drills
Progression to more complex training drills, eg passing drills in football and ice hockey. May start progressive resistance training
Exercise, coordinator, and cognitive load
Full contact practice
Following medical clearance participate in normal training activities
Restore confidence and assess functional skills by coaching staff
Return to play
Normal game play
There should be approximately 24 hours (or longer) for each stage and the child should drop back to the previous asymptomatic level if any post-concussive symptoms recur. Resistance training should only be added in the later stages. If the child is symptomatic for more than 10 days, then review by a health practitioner, expert in the management of concussion, is recommended. Medical clearance should be given before return to play.
(To be given to the person monitoring the concussed child)
This child has received an injury to the head. A careful medical examination has been carried out and no sign of any serious complications has been found. It is expected that recovery will be rapid, but the child will need monitoring for the next 24 hours by a responsible adult. If you notice any change in behavior, vomiting, dizziness, worsening headache, double vision or excessive drowsiness, please call an ambulance to transport the child to hospital immediately.
Br J Sports Med 2013 47: 263
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