Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 6 (SCAT6)
Overview[edit | edit source]
Early identification of concussion is key to effective management, treatment, and recovery. The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 6 (SCAT6) is a tool developed by the Concussion in Sport Group - an international, multi-disciplinary organization that seeks to enhance understanding and management of sport-related concussions.[1] This tool is utilised by qualified healthcare professionals to gather baseline data for athletes and evaluate athletes with suspected concussion. The SCAT6 is an updated version of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5); both assessments may still be used in practice at this time, thus familiarity with both may be helpful.
Intended Population[edit | edit source]
Athletes 13 years and older, and implemented within 3-7 days of suspected injury.[2]
- Clinical utility of the SCAT6 diminishes after 72 hours. If not administered within 7 days of suspected injury, it is recommended to use the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool 6 (SCOAT6).[2][3]
- For athletes between 8-12 years of age, it is recommended to use the Pediatric SCAT6[4]
- The Child SCAT5 is the prior version of the Pediatric SCAT6; however it is utilised for athletes ages 5-12
Changes Since SCAT5[edit | edit source]
- Enhancements to athlete demographics section and red flags sections
- Duration - requires a minimum of 10-15 minutes
- Revisions/modifications to recognise and remove, immediate assessment & neurologic screen, coordination and balance examination, "read aloud" instructions, and memory sections[2]
Description[edit | edit source]
The SCAT6 has both on-field and off-field assessment components. The results of the assessment are scored, and compared to a baseline or normative score in order to guide disposition on a concussion diagnosis.
On-Field Assessment[edit | edit source]
The on-field assessment begins with immediate screening for red flags:
- Neck pain or tenderness
- Seizure or convusion
- Double vision
- Loss of consciousness or deterioration of consciousness
- Weakness or tingling/burning in >1 extremity
- Vomiting
- Severe or increasing headache, restlessness, agitation or combativeness
- Glasgow Coma Scale score <15
- Visible skull deformity
Additional components of the on-field assessment include:
- Observable signs of concussion
- Lying motionless on playing surface
- Falling unprotected to playing surface
- Balance/gait deficits and motor incoordination
- Disorientation, confusion, or alterations in responsiveness
- Blank or vacant look
- Facial injury after head trauma
- Seizure upon impact
- High-risk mechanism of injury
- Administration of the Glasgow Coma Scale
- Cervical spine assessment
- Coordination & oculomotor screen
- Memory assessment via Maddocks questions
Off-Field Assessment[edit | edit source]
The off-field assessment is generally carried out in a clinical setting, and involves:
- A comprehensive history, including details of athletic background
- Symptom evaluation
- Cognitive screening derived from the Standardized Assessment of Concussion
- Coordination and balance examination
- Optional dual-task gait component
- Delayed recall tasks
Method of Use[edit | edit source]
It is the combined responsibility of trained healthcare personnel, coaches, referees, and athletes to recognize the signs and symptoms of concussion. If these signs are present, the athlete is to be withdrawn from play immediately, followed by the on-field SCAT6 assessment, with off-field follow-through as necessary.
If an athlete was involved in an event with potential head contact, but presents without signs and symptoms of concussion, the player may (or may not, depending on sport organisation bylaws) continue playing while being monitored, with off-field assessment completed after play is complete.
Upon completion of the SCAT6, results should be compared to the baseline/normative values, and the consideration of a concussion diagnosis should guide further clinical intervention.
Resources[edit | edit source]
UM Athletic Therapy's Youtube Playlist of SCAT6 Steps 1 through 6
The following video contains a full review of both the SCAT6 and SCOAT6:[5]
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ Concussion in Sport Group (CISG). Our Mission. Available from: https://www.concussioninsportgroup.com/mission/ (accessed 2 June 2024).
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Echemendia RJ, Brett BL, Broglio S, Davis GA, Giza CC, Guskiewicz KM, Harmon KG, Herring S, Howell DR, Master CL, Valovich McLeod TC, McCrea M, Naidu D, Patricios J, Putukian M, Walton SR, Schneider KJ, Burma JS, Bruce JM. Introducing the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 6 (SCAT6). Br J Sports Med. 2023 Jun;57(11):619-621.
- ↑ Echemendia RJ, Burma JS, Bruce JM, Davis GA, Giza CC, Guskiewicz KM, Naidu D, Black AM, Broglio S, Kemp S, Patricios JS, Putukian M, Zemek R, Arango-Lasprilla JC, Bailey CM, Brett BL, Didehbani N, Gioia G, Herring SA, Howell D, Master CL, Valovich McLeod TC, Meehan WP 3rd, Premji Z, Salmon D, van Ierssel J, Bhathela N, Makdissi M, Walton SR, Kissick J, Pardini J, Schneider KJ. Acute evaluation of sport-related concussion and implications for the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6) for adults, adolescents and children: a systematic review. Br J Sports Med. 2023 Jun;57(11):722-735.
- ↑ Patricios JS, Schneider KJ, Dvorak J, Ahmed OH, Blauwet C, Cantu RC, Davis GA, Echemendia RJ, Makdissi M, McNamee M, Broglio S, Emery CA, Feddermann-Demont N, Fuller GW, Giza CC, Guskiewicz KM, Hainline B, Iverson GL, Kutcher JS, Leddy JJ, Maddocks D, Manley G, McCrea M, Purcell LK, Putukian M, Sato H, Tuominen MP, Turner M, Yeates KO, Herring SA, Meeuwisse W. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport-Amsterdam, October 2022. Br J Sports Med. 2023 Jun;57(11):695-711.
- ↑ Pro-Action Sports Injury Clinic. Concussion Consensus 6 SCOAT & SCAT. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LCDzoKI0ues [last accessed 6/01/2024].
