The Concussion Assessment and Response: Sport Version app, or CARE, is a new tool that helps medical professionals and athletic trainers assess the likeliness of a concussion and respond quickly and appropriately to this potentially serious medical situation. The CARE provides instruction during the assessment of an injury; it also provides tools that can help document the injury as well as recovery. All the recorded assessment information can be shared via email with other doctors or other medical professionals. The CARE allows users to test an athlete’s readiness to return to play via a step-by-step testing regimen. This tool is an invaluable way to assess possible concussions and respond appropriately.

FEATURES:

Injury Assessment and CPR Cues
Balance Evaluation Scoring System (BESS)
Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC)
Graded Symptom Checklist (GSC)
Return-to-Play Guide
Concussion General Information (FAQs)
ACE Post-Concussion Home/School Instructions

HOW IT WORKS:

Injury Assessment

From the instant the player is injured, the user can select “New Injury” to be guided through a series of questions that will determine the appropriate response. If the athlete is not breathing or lacks a pulse, the app will provide counting and illustration for chest compressions and breathing support. The CARE will also assist the user in assessing other serious signs of injury including cervical spine injury, cranial nerve trauma, and a concussion.

Balance Evaluation Scoring System (BESS)

The Balance Evaluation Scoring System is an assessment that evaluates an athlete’s ability to maintain a stance without errors. The CARE provides instructions and illustrations that guide users through the three stances in a BESS assessment: single leg, double leg, and tandem. The user records the number of errors made and compares that result to the results of other BESS assessments the athlete has been given.

Standardized Assessment of Concussion (SAC)

The Sideline Assessment of Concussion is provided in electronic format and can be recorded for baseline, injury, post-game, or recovery. The questions in the SAC cover orientation, extended memory, concentration, and delayed recall. The SAC also records the presence or loss of sensation, strength, and coordination in the athlete.

Graded Symptom Checklist (GSC)

This tool enables users to track the severity of symptoms for each athlete during the recovery process. Users first select the nature of the assessment by choosing baseline, injury, post-game, or recovery; then they rate the severity of each symptom on a scale from 0 (no symptoms) to 6 (severe). This feature enables users to quantify a patient’s progress during recovery from a concussion.

Return-to-Play Guide

This part of the app helps to protect children and athletes from further injury by guiding them through a daily exercise routine that tests their ability to return to play. Through a five-day, tiered workout routine, parents can ensure that their child is able to handle the added exercise without further injury or discomfort.

Concussion General Information

The app’s concussion information helps ensure that medical professionals are provided a comprehensive understanding of concussions as well as the assessments they will be administering via the CARE. All concussion information in this section has been provided by Gerard A. Gioia, PhD and Jason Mihalik, PhD, concussion specialists from the Children’s National Medical Center and the Matthew A. Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center.

Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE) Post-Concussion Home/School Instructions

Included with the app is a concussion overview page that users can share with other coaches, parents, or athletes. This overview is an excellent way to share important information about how to recognize and respond to concussions.


Note: 15% of all proceeds from the sale of this app will be donated to support concussion research.