R J Elbin1, Vanessa Fazio-Sumrok2, Melissa N Anderson3, Nathan R D'Amico4, Azkya Said4, Adam Grossel5, Philip Schatz5, Damon Lipinski6, Melissa Womble7. 1. University of Arkansas Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation/Office for Sport Concussion Research, USA. Electronic address: rjelbin@uark.edu. 2. UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, 15203, USA. 3. Concussion Research Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, University of Georgia, USA. 4. University of Arkansas Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation/Office for Sport Concussion Research, USA. 5. Department of Psychology, Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia 19131, USA. 6. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Schmeiding Developmental Center, Lowell, AR, USA. 7. Inova Medical Group Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine, Inova Sports Medicine Concussion Program, Fairfax, VA, USA.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Computerized Neurocognitive Testing (CNT) is frequently used for serial assessment of athletes following concussion. The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment for Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) is a commonly used CNT with well-documented test-retest reliability in healthy samples for intervals ranging from one month to two years. However, previous research has not explored use of ImPACT for other serial testing methodologies such as immediately before and after an experimental trial/intervention where administration on the same day may be necessary. PURPOSE: To examine the suitability of ImPACT for short-term, serial assessment of neurocognitive functioning. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, repeated measures research design. METHODS: Forty-two healthy, college-aged individuals completed ImPACT twice, with a one-hour break between assessments. Reliability was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), reliable change indices (RCIs) and regression-based methods (RBM). RESULTS: No significant increases in mean ImPACT composite or symptom scores were observed between assessments. ICCs ranged from 0.34 to 0.74 (single)/0.51 to 0.85 (average). Across two test administrations, 92-100% and 93-98% of participants' change scores fell within cutoffs when utilizing the RCI and RBM, respectively. CONCLUSION: The ICCs for ImPACT composite and factor scores across the one-hour administration were consistent with previous studies. Only a small percentage of scores fell outside of RCI and RBM cutoffs. These statistical metrics suggest that ImPACT has sufficient reliability when repeating administration within one-hour.
BACKGROUND: Computerized Neurocognitive Testing (CNT) is frequently used for serial assessment of athletes following concussion. The Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment for Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) is a commonly used CNT with well-documented test-retest reliability in healthy samples for intervals ranging from one month to two years. However, previous research has not explored use of ImPACT for other serial testing methodologies such as immediately before and after an experimental trial/intervention where administration on the same day may be necessary. PURPOSE: To examine the suitability of ImPACT for short-term, serial assessment of neurocognitive functioning. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective, repeated measures research design. METHODS: Forty-two healthy, college-aged individuals completed ImPACT twice, with a one-hour break between assessments. Reliability was assessed using Pearson correlation coefficients, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), reliable change indices (RCIs) and regression-based methods (RBM). RESULTS: No significant increases in mean ImPACT composite or symptom scores were observed between assessments. ICCs ranged from 0.34 to 0.74 (single)/0.51 to 0.85 (average). Across two test administrations, 92-100% and 93-98% of participants' change scores fell within cutoffs when utilizing the RCI and RBM, respectively. CONCLUSION: The ICCs for ImPACT composite and factor scores across the one-hour administration were consistent with previous studies. Only a small percentage of scores fell outside of RCI and RBM cutoffs. These statistical metrics suggest that ImPACT has sufficient reliability when repeating administration within one-hour.