In-clinic event related potentials after sports concussion: A 4-year study.
Gerald Clayton, Natalie Davis, Adam Holliday and 5 others
PMID 32176669WHAT IT FOUND
After sports concussion, a simple brain-wave test was different from baseline even after reaction time and thinking tests returned to normal.
The findings suggest lingering brain activity changes, not a proven standalone return-to-play test.
Key findings
01The study followed 364 athletes aged 17 to 23 over up to 4 sports seasons at 4 sites, and confirmed 45 concussions among 56 suspected events.
02P300 voltage was significantly different from baseline after concussion and at the start of return to play, while reaction time and Trail Making had returned to baseline; at concussion, 88% of concussed players showed a greater than 1.5 σ voltage change versus 16% of reference players.
03Roughly 40% of players were clinically cleared by existing standards but still had lingering P300 deficits.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTs
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What it does not show
The study was observational, and the paper does not describe randomisation. Real-world testing meant some planned assessments were missed and timing varied. Concussion diagnosis relied on expert clinical judgment, and P300 is non-specific. The paper did not analyse differences by sex or sport.
Declared interests
The supplied text does not report funding or conflict-of-interest declarations.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read the P300 changes as a stand-alone concussion diagnostic or return-to-play test. The paper says P300 is non-specific and should be used as an adjunct to clinical history and exams.