Pilot Evaluation of a Novel Clinical Test of Reaction Time in National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I Football Players

Context:

Evidence suggests that concussion prolongs reaction time (RT). We have developed a simple, reliable clinical tool for measuring reaction time that may be of value in the assessment of concussion in athletes.

Objective:

To compare baseline values of clinical RT (RT_clin) obtained using the new clinical reaction time apparatus with computerized RT (RT_comp) obtained using a validated computerized neuropsychological test battery.

Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Setting:

Data were collected during a National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I collegiate football team''s preparticipation physical examination session.

Patients or Other Participants:

Ninety-four Division I collegiate football players.

Main Outcome Measure(s):

The RT_clin was measured using a 1.3-m measuring stick embedded in a weighted rubber disk that was released and caught as quickly as possible. The RT_comp was measured using the simple RT component of CogState Sport.

Results:

For the 68 athletes whose CogState Sport tests passed the program''s integrity check, RT_clin and RT_comp were correlated (r  =  0.445, P < .001). Overall, mean RT_clin was shorter and less variable than mean RT_comp (203 ± 20 milliseconds versus 268 ± 44 milliseconds; P < .001). When RT_clin and RT_comp were compared between those athletes with (n  =  68) and those without (n  =  26) valid CogState Sport test sessions, mean RT_clin was similar (202 ± 19 milliseconds versus 207 ± 23 milliseconds; P  =  .390), but mean RT_comp was different (258 ± 35 milliseconds versus 290 ± 55 milliseconds; P  =  .009).

Conclusions:

The RT_clin was positively correlated with RT_comp and yielded more consistent reaction time values during baseline testing. Given that RT_clin is easy to measure using simple, inexpensive equipment, further prospective study is warranted to determine its clinical utility in the assessment of concussion in athletes.