title: Validity of the Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The immediate post concussion assessment and cognitive testing (ImPACT) is the most widely used concussion assessment tool. Despite its popularity, it is unclear if validation studies for the ImPACT test covered all aspects of validity to support its widespread use in research and clinical practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this report is to review literature surrounding the validity and the utility of the ImPACT test.
  A systematic review of relevant studies in PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO was carried out. Studies were evaluated using the STROBE (strengthening the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology) or the STARD (standards for reporting of diagnostic accuracy) criteria.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The literature search yielded 5968 studies. Sixty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the qualitative review. Although the convergent validity of ImPACT was supported, evidence of discriminant and predictive validity, diagnostic accuracy and responsiveness was inconclusive. The utility of the ImPACT test after acute symptom resolution was sparse. The review found many factors influenced the validity and utility of ImPACT scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Clinicians must consider the benefit of ImPACT testing for their patients on a case-by-case scenario and must take the psychometric properties of the test into account when interpreting results.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, University of Michigan-Flint, 2157 William S. White Building, 303 E. Kearsley Street, Flint, MI, 48502-1950, USA. alsalahe@umflint.edu.
authors.forename: Bara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Alsalaheen
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, University of Michigan-Flint, 2157 William S. White Building, 303 E. Kearsley Street, Flint, MI, 48502-1950, USA.
authors.forename: Kayla
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stockdale
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Department, University of Michigan-Flint, 2157 William S. White Building, 303 E. Kearsley Street, Flint, MI, 48502-1950, USA.
authors.forename: Dana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pechumer
authors.affiliation: Neurotrauma Research Laboratory, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
authors.forename: Steven P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Broglio
mesh_terms: D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003071:Cognition; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results