North Union United Soccer Club

Dear NUU Parents and Players.

As Medical Director of NUU, I have been asked to evaluate a proposal, and give recommendations regarding a concussion management tool offered to club players by Kathleen Bergeson, PhD.  Kathleen is a psychologist with experience in administering and interpreting results of a neurocognitive test called ImPACT.  The test is used to compare the neurological recovery of an athlete after a concussive event.  It requires having a baseline test result on file, prior to concussion.  Then the test is administered again after a concussion and a comparison to baseline is made.  After hearing the proposal, and discussion with the board, my recommendation and official position of the club is that ImPACT baseline testing is a very good idea and is recommended, and should be considered seriously by each soccer player and their respective parents/gaurdians, but that it is not required to be a member of the club.  Dr. Bergeson is available to administer the test and keep the results on file at a discounted rate for club members.  More information below.

Immediatly below is a portion of the discussion of this test taken from the company's web site.  Please feel free to review this, and any further information prior to your decision.

"ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is the first, most-widely used, and most scientifically validated computerized concussion evaluation system.
ImPACT is a 20-minute test that has become a standard tool used in comprehensive clinical management of concussions for athletes of all ages.   Norms currently exist for athletes ages 10 to 59.  Younger players can take the test but they will need to be supervised, and no normative sample exists for comparison purposes. 

Given the inherent difficulties in concussion management, it is important to manage concussions on an individualized basis and to implement baseline testing and/or post-injury neurocognitive testing. This type of concussion assessment can help to objectively evaluate the concussed athlete's post-injury condition and track recovery for safe return to play, thus preventing the cumulative effects of concussion."

In my opinion the bottom line is that it is a great idea to have a baseline Impact test done prior to any concussion.  This way a comparison can be made after a concussion, to that baseline, with regard to neurological recovery.   As kids grow and neurologically mature, this baseline changes however.  Therefore, recommendations are for adolescent and high school students to be baseline tested every two years.  Probably needs to be done yearly for younger children.   You must remember, however, that Impact is only a tool in the assessment of concussion, and in the management of concussive injuries.  It alone does not determine if an athelete has had a concussion, or is recovered from a concussion and can be returned to competition.   A qualified physician that has specific training in, and experience in treating athletes with these types of injuries needs to be consulted when a concussion is suspected, and make recovery and return to play decisions.  Dr. Bergeson does not medically manage concussion, just administer and interpret the test.

Geisinger Sports Medicine currently administers the ImPACT test to all 9th and 11th graders in schools that are taken care of by Geisinger Athletic Trainers.  So if your child is currently in one of those schools the baseline will be done as above stated. 

Dr. Bergeson's cost of the ImPACT baseline study is $20 for club members.  The fee is $40 for post-concussion testing and interpretation.  Please contact her directly for scheduling a test with the contact info:

Kathleen Bergeson, PhD
570-524-0881
kbergesonphd@gmail.com
11 Reitz Boulevard #101
Lewisburg, PA 17837

Glen Feltham, MD

Medical Director

North Union United Soccer Club

Geisinger Medical Center Dept. of Orthopaedic Surgery

Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon

Board Certified Orthopaedic Sports Medicine

Team Physician United States Soccer Federation

    Head Team Physician U20 Womens National Team

Team Physician Bucknell University Athletics