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New program at Northern Arizona University to evaluate long-term concussion effects
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Two Northern Arizona University researchers have launched a concussion evaluation program for the university’s football players and women’s soccer players, according to a university press release.
Emi Isaki, PhD, CCC-SLP, an assistant professor in communication sciences and disorders, and Scot Raab, PhD, AT, LAT, an assistant professor in the athletic training program, are leading the program, which will generate baseline data about the athletes to determine whether a decrease in grades or cognitive function can be traced to concussion symptoms.
Isaki and Raab gathered initial baseline data for the athletes in January 2014 and have applied for a National Institutes of Health grant that would extend the project into a multi-year, longitudinal study, according to the press release.
Although standard evaluations are generally effective, Isaki and Raab said many athletes may not be aware they are having concussion symptoms. Evaluation could still be more thorough, especially considering athletes are highly motivated to return as quickly as possible.
The aim of the study is to explore long-term residual effects of concussions on athletes, according to the release.
Reference: www.nau.edu/Research/News-Updates/NAU-Researchers-Study-Lingering-Effects-of-Athletic-Concussions.