Improved sensitivity of the rapid screen of mild traumatic brain injury.
This study aimed to investigate the acute effects of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in an emergency department sample. A total of 246 (186 male, 60 female) cases of mTBI and 102 (65 male and 37 female) cases of orthopedic injuries were tested within 24 hours of injury. Mild TBI patients performed more poorly on all subtests of the Rapid Screen of Concussion (RSC) and completed fewer symbols on Digit Symbol than did orthopedic controls. RSC scores predicted group membership better than chance, and Digit Symbol scores contributed significantly to predicting group membership over and above the contribution of the RSC, resulting in 70.4% sensitivity and 74% specificity for the extended protocol. The results of this study indicate that learning and memory, orientation, and speed of information processing are impaired immediately following mTBI. Furthermore, a brief battery of tests that include word recall, orientation, and the Digit Symbol Substitution Test could assess the severity of dysfunction following mTBI, and assist in clinical decision making regarding discharge, return to routine activities, and management of the effects of injury.
Cognitive Psychophysiology Laboratory, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Veronica Eileen
VE
De Monte
Gina Malke
GM
Geffen
Christopher Randall
CR
May
Ken
K
McFarland
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012737:Sex Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D014706:Verbal Learning; D055815:Young Adult