As we prepare to bid farewell to 2023, it’s worth reflecting on some of the year’s key milestones in the field of concussion. The year brought advancements in awareness as well as progress in diagnosis and treatment that shed further light on the physical and cognitive toll these injuries can have on individuals. Three of this year’s milestones in concussion:
- SCAT6 – the next generation of sports concussion diagnostic
A landmark development in concussion management, the most recent iteration of the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool, known as SCAT6, was published this year in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. The SCAT6 is a thoroughly researched, standardized, and evidence-based tool used in the assessment and management of concussions in athletes. Read our blog post on it here.
- Women’s World Cup added concussion spotters for the first time.
This year, the Women’s World Cup introduced independent concussion spotters for the first time. Concussion spotters are medical personnel tasked with monitoring games to detect concussions. Using slow motion video technology, they assess collisions and evaluate post-collision player movements. If signs of concussion appear, they alert team doctors We covered the changes in our own blog post in August.
3. Canada launched the TRANSCENDENT Concussion research program
The TRANSCENDENT Concussion Research program was officially funded in 2023. The program is aimed at improving concussion diagnosis and care. The TRANSCENDENT Team consists of leading concussion researchers who will collaborate to expand the concussion research databases to be one of the largest. Oculogica’s EyeBOX technology will be a part of this important multi-year research effort.
2023 saw significant steps toward improving the likelihood of both avoiding and recovering from concussion. From heightened awareness and education to technological breakthroughs and improved sports protocols, the collective effort to understand and address concussions has never been more robust. As we look ahead, maintaining momentum is crucial as is fostering a culture that prioritizes the health and safety of individuals in both sports and everyday life.