PTOTSLPPilotJMIR rehabilitation and assistive technologies2025

Evaluating R2Play, A Novel Multidomain Return-to-Play Assessment Tool for Concussion: Mixed Methods Feasibility and Face Validity Study.

Josh Shore, Pavreet Gill, Danielle DuPlessis and 9 others

PMID 41289558

WHAT IT FOUND

Ten concussion-recovered youth and five clinicians found the new R2Play tablet-based return-to-play assessment safe, usable, and physically demanding enough to mimic sport.

It is not yet validated for clinical decision-making.

Key findings

01All participants achieved vigorous intensity physical exertion, with peak heart rates reaching 78% to 99% of their maximum.

02Clinicians rated the system's usability as excellent, with a mean System Usability Scale score of 83.75.

03No adverse events occurred, and only one participant reported worsening symptoms, which was mild and did not require stopping the assessment.

STILL TO COME

How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs

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What it does not show

The study was extremely small (10 youth, 5 clinicians) and conducted at a single site, limiting generalizability. Participants had already been cleared to return to play, so the tool's ability to detect ongoing deficits or predict readiness in symptomatic or recently injured youth is unknown. Clinicians did not use R2Play to make actual return-to-play decisions, so its clinical utility in real-world clearance scenarios has not been tested. The primary author was involved in both training and data collection, introducing potential observer expectancy bias. Youth concussion history and clearance criteria were self-reported without verification.

Declared interests

Funding was provided by the Center for Leadership at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital and the Tanenbaum Institute for Science in Sport. One author is the Editor-in-Chief of the publishing journal.

The easy way to misread this

Do not use R2Play to make return-to-play clearance decisions. This was a feasibility study in youth who had already returned to sport; it does not show the tool can accurately assess readiness or detect deficits in patients currently undergoing recovery.

Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →