Brain Injury Association of NewJersey’s Statewide Campaign

Concussionin Sportswww.sportsconcussion.com

Brain Injury Association of New Jersey, Inc.

Our Mission:EducationOutreachPreventionAdvocacy Support Services

www.bianj.org

The Challenge

To have an agreement, a consensus, among all groups concerned with the health and well-being of young athletes about how to measure, monitor, and manage a concussion.

EndorsementsAmerican Academy of Pediatrics, New

Jersey ChapterAmerican College of Emergency

Physicians, New Jersey ChapterAthletic Trainer’s Society of New

JerseyBrain Injury Association of AmericaBrain Injury Association of New JerseyMedical Society of New JerseyNew Jersey Academy of Family

PhysiciansNew Jersey Advisory Council on

Traumatic Brain InjuryNew Jersey Association of Health,

Physical Education, Recreation and Dance

New Jersey Education Association New Jersey Emergency Medical

Services for Children Advisory Council

New Jersey Football Coaches Association

New Jersey Hospital AssociationNew Jersey Principals and Supervisors

AssociationNew Jersey SAFE KIDSNew Jersey School Counselors

AssociationNew Jersey State Interscholastic

Athletic AssociationNew Jersey State Safety CouncilNew Jersey State School Nurses

AssociationNew Jersey Trauma Center Council

Concussion in Youth Sports Program

Goals are:1. Know that a concussion is a brain injury

2. When playing sports, if there is any doubt the player has a concussion….Sit ‘Em Out!

3. All suspected concussions should be evaluated and monitored by health professionals

4. Take today’s information and develop an action plan in your setting

What is a Traumatic Brain Injury?

A brain injury is an insult to the brain caused by an external physical force that may produce a diminished or altered state of consciousness, which may result in impairment of cognitive abilities, physical, behavioral or emotional functioning.

Traumatic Brain Injury in NJ

49,035 = Number of people treated in New Jersey emergency rooms for TBI

(NJ Discharge Data Collection System, Emergency Department (ED) Billing Data, 2003)

The Scope of the Problem

Estimates:Concussions in New Jersey

10,000 sports and recreation-related Traumatic Brain Injuries every year

25,000 to 75,000 unidentified sports-related concussions every year

(CDC Estimates based on similar proportions to national estimates)

The Scope of the Problem

Athletic Trainers Report:

5.1% of football players sustained a concussion during a season

.7% sustained a second concussion during

the same season BUT……

(Guskiewicz et al.2000)

47% had at least one concussion during the season.

35% had multiple concussions during the season.

(Langburt et al.2001)

Player’s Report Symptoms of Concussion

Athletes Want to…

STAY IN THE GAME!!

Concussion Facts

Most concussions do NOT involve loss of consciousness

A direct blow to the head, face, and neck can cause a concussion

An indirect blow elsewhere on the body can transmit an “impulsive” force to the head, causing a concussion

Defining Concussion

Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Induced by mechanical forces

Immediately disrupts brain function

Physical Signs and Symptoms

Headaches

Dizzy or Lightheaded

Blurry Vision

Ringing in the Ears

Loss of Balance

Numbness or Tingling Sensations

Vomiting

Fatigue, Exhaustion

Difficulty Sleeping

Sensitivity to Light and Sound

Dilated Pupils

Slurred Speech

Cognitive and Emotional Signs & Symptoms

Confusion

Difficulty Focusing or Concentrating

Disorientation of Time & Place

Slower Rate to Processing Information

Memory Loss

Irritability

Anxiety

Easily Saddened or Upset

Sadness, Depression

Consequences can Affect:

Academics

Social Relationships

Behavior

Emotions

Other Factors to Consider Age of the child…

younger is not always better

Symptoms that persist for longer than 6-8 weeks

Cumulative effects of multiple concussions

Here’s What To Do: In Play

ANY DOUBT, SIT ‘EM OUT!!!

GO TO THE DOCTOR!!!

Sideline Assessment Basics

Knowledge of the signs and symptoms is critical

Remember that the person is more important then the score, the scholarship, or the roar of the crowd

Baseline Testing- A Cutting Edge Technology

Provides comparison based on pre and post concussion scores

Provides clinicians with a tool to determine safe return to play

Documents an athletes concussion history

Administrative Protocols Does your group have a system of

reporting/recording incidents? Who fills out the reports? Where are the forms kept? Who has access to the forms? Who receives copies of the forms?

Coach? Nurse? Athletic trainer? Parents? Who receives/retains Doctor’s notes?

Coach? Nurse? Athletic trainer? Parents

Home Information Sheet

WHAT GROUPS??

Parents Doctors Coaches Teachers Friends

Administrators Athletic Trainers School Nurses Recreational

Sports Leagues ATHLETES

When Can an Athlete Return to Play?

When medically cleared

No activity of any kind while still symptomatic, including headaches

Check on academic performance

Start out with light activity

If symptom free with light activity, progress to increased activity

ALWAYS respect the brain and the time it needs to heal

Tips for Helping the Student Monitor w/ checklist Reduce assignments Build in rest periods Give more time to

complete work Outline and order

steps for big tasks Give written

directions or template

Use notebook check off “to do” list

Write down schedules w/places, times, etc

Meet with Teacher to review home work at end of day

Inform school nurse, counselor

WHAT CAN YOU DO?

1. Share what you know! A concussion is a brain injury and needs to be taken seriously.

2. When in doubt SIT ’EM OUT!

3. Take today’s information and develop an action plan in your setting.

For More Information:

Contact the Brain Injury Association of New Jersey Website: www.bianj.org Sports Concussion Website: www.sportsconcussion.com Phone: (732) 745-0200 Family Helpline (800) 669-4323