Concussions

In June 2023, a new Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport was published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The Statement provides evidence-based recommendations for management of concussion in sport. It is based on an international expert panel, multiple systematic reviews, and outcomes from the 6th International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport.

Some of the updates include:

New and updated age-appropriate tools to aid identification and management of condition
New versions of return to active sport and education strategies
Stronger evidence for benefits of light intensity exercise within first 48 hours to aid recovery
New, targeted approach to rehabilitation
Call for interdisciplinary working group to guide research about potential long term effects of concussion

For more information, read the Statement here.

The Concussion Awareness Training Tool (CATT) has been updated to incorporate the latest evidence into the CATT’s courses, resources, and website content. Resources – CATT Online

Concussions are the most common form of head injury and can be caused by either direct impact or forceful motion of the head or other part of the body that results in rapid movement of the brain within the skull. In Ontario, emergency department visits for concussions increased significantly, from 63.7 visits per 100,000 in 2003, to 242.5 per 100,000 in 2018. This may reflect a true increase in incidence, an increase in awareness and reporting, or a combination of the two. In either case, this increase identifies an opportunity for prevention.

Parachute Canada eleased the first ever Canadian Guideline on Concussion in Sport in 2017. This comprehensive guideline covers pre-season education and the recognition, medical diagnosis, and management of athletes who sustain a suspected concussion during a sport activity. It is aimed at ensuring sport participants with suspected concussions receive timely appropriate care, and proper management to allow them to return safely to their sport to continue training, competing, and enjoying a full, active life. The guideline is available at the following link:
http://www.parachutecanada.org/injury-topics/item/canadian-guideline-on-concussion-in-sport

Resources for Professionals

The Concussion Awareness Training Tool E-Learning Course is for medical professionals in emergency and general practice family physicians, but the content is apt for all healthcare professionals involved in the assessment and care of concussion patients, including nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists and athletic therapists, and occupational therapists.

The SCAT5 (for age 13+) and Child-SCAT5 (for children 5-12 years) are tools to best support your practice. Instructions and more detail at https://cattonline.com/scat/.

SCAT link (13+): Sport concussion assessment tool - 5th edition
Child SCAT5: Sport concussion assessment tool for children ages 5 to 12 years

Virtual-Concussion-Exam-Manual.pdf (cattonline.com)

Concussion – Project ECHO® at University Health Network: ECHO Concussion covers topics related to persisting concussion symptoms, in children and adults, as well as diagnosis of acute and chronic concussion. The ECHO program is designed to provide participants with a comprehensive approach to concussion diagnosis and symptom management across the continuum. The topics cover the key elements of the Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation Clinical Practice Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of concussion and prolonged symptoms.

Pediatric Concussion Care and Guidelines (https://pedsconcussion.com/): The Living Guideline for Pediatric Concussion Care shares up-to-date evidence-based clinical recommendations & tools for healthcare professionals diagnosing and managing children and adolescents with concussion.

Tools & Resources - Living Guideline for Pediatric Concussion Care

Acute Concussion Evaluation (ACE): Clinician/Office version appendix-1-1.pdf (braininjuryguidelines.org)
EN-Medical Assessment Letter-CATT-2023, Sample View PDF (ophea.net)
EN-Medical Clearance Letter-CATT-2023

Intimate Partner Violence Traumatic Brain Injury Medical Provider Resource

Abused & Brain Injured Toolkit; Supporting Survivors of Abuse and Brain Injury Through Research; Concussion Awareness Training Tool: Intimate Partner Violence Traumatic Brain Injury Medical Provider Resource (Version 1.0), February 2023.

Resources for Parents

Parachute Canada Tool Kit on Concussions

Concussion Guide for Parents and Caregivers

Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines

Concussion Information for Patients and Families (Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation)

Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines

Resources for Patients & Families | Living Concussion Guidelines (concussionsontario.org)

You-CAN (youcanportal.com) The Youth Concussion Awareness Network (You-CAN) is a group of high school students across Canada raising awareness about concussions.

By working together with their peers, students are able to share concussion knowledge and resources to help make a difference in their community.

Want to learn more about You-CAN? Contact you.can@utoronto.ca.

Resources for Coaches and Teachers

The Ministry of Education expects all school boards in Ontario to develop and maintain a policy on concussion. PPM 158: School Board Policies on Concussion provides direction to school boards on the development and implementation of their policies.

The Concussion Awareness Training Tool E-Learning Course for educators

Ophea’s Concussion Prevention, Identification, and Management for Schools 2023/24 e-Learning module

SCHOOLFirst – Enabling successful return-to-school for Canadian youth following a concussion

CATT-Learning-Accommodations-Following-Concussion-V3-2019

Parachute Canada Concussion Guidelines for Teachers

Parachute Canada Concussion Guidelines for Coaches and Trainers

Canadian Paediatric Society: Information on Sport-related Concussion

Health and Physical Education Curriculum (gov.on.ca)