Sports Concussion Care

Neurocognitive Sports Concussion Management Programmes

BEST offers efficient large-scale neurocognitive testing programmes to schools and professional organizations for both child and adult concussion management. BEST-trained neuropsychologists work in conjunction with medical doctors using state-of-the-art balance and neurocognitive testing to facilitate safe return-to-sport/learning/work.

Experienced neuropsychologists monitor every aspect of the concussion management testing protocol which is conducted by BEST-trained administrators. This includes large-scale group baseline testing, individualized follow-up test administrations conducted in both school and organizational settings, the interpretation of the test results, test report and feedback to medical doctors and/or other relevant parties within 24 to 48 hours of the evaluation. BEST provides the much-needed assurance that athletes have recovered neurocognitively from a concussive brain injury, thereby reducing the risk of premature return-to-activity while they are still in the process of recovering.

Recommendations based on individualized assessments for each concussed athlete, are made by our specialist neuropsychologists for a carefully monitored, step-by-step re-entry to sport, school and work.

BEST Sports Concussion Clinic (Western Cape, Cape Town)

The BEST Sports Concussion Clinic in Cape Town provides individualized neurocognitive testing services for both child and adult concussion management, either in person in the clinic rooms, or remotely for those living in other parts of the country, or internationally.  

A BEST-trained administrator conducts baseline and/or post-concussion follow-up testing in the clinic on site, or remotely.  Neuropsychologists with decades of experience in concussion evaluation and management provide an interpretation of the test results accessed on-line within 24 to 48 hours of the assessment, including a test report and feedback to medical doctors, parents, and/or other relevant parties by email, backed up by telephonic discussion if required.    

BEST delivers the much-needed assurance that athletes have recovered neurocognitively from a concussive brain injury, thereby reducing the risk of premature return-to-activity while they are still in the process of recovering. Recommendations based on the individualized assessments for each concussed athlete conducted in the BEST Sports Concussion Clinic in Cape Town, are made by our specialist neuropsychologists for a carefully monitored, step-by-step re-entry to sport, school and work.

Notes:

• A concussion may be sustained in many contexts other than sport, such in a motor vehicle accident, falling and hitting the ground for any reason, being hit on the head in a scuffle, crashing into a glass door, etc. The BEST Sports Concussion Clinic is available to evaluate and manage a concussive injury sustained for any reason.

• Access to pre-concussion baseline evaluation is an optimal aid to a post-concussion test interpretation. However, it is not essential.  Neuropsychologists use an individual’s clinical status, medical and scholastic history, age-appropriate normative data and pre-concussion baseline data (if available) to provide specialist post-concussion test interpretations and recommendations.

• While the BEST Concussion Clinic is in Cape Town, remote online services can be arranged for those in other geographical locations both nationally and internationally.

To book and pay online for an assessment at the Best Concussion Clinic (Cape Town)

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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why is it imperative to include neuropsychologists in the concussion management protocol?

• Neurocognitive assessment has been described as the ‘cornerstone’ of sports concussion management.
• It provides the specialist information needed to supplement the medical doctor’s clinical return-to-sport decisions and to guide recommendations for return-to-learning/work.
• Neuropsychologists are uniquely trained to assess, diagnose and treat people with cognitive-behavioural and emotional changes resulting from compromised brain functioning. Download our PDF on HPCSA Minimum Standards 
• These acts are legally deemed by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to pertain specially to the profession of psychology. Download our PDF on HPCSA Rule 993

1. What are the benefits of incorporating a neurocognitive assessment protocol for concussion management, compared with the use of medical tools such as saliva-based concussion tests or tests that track head and eye movement?

• Saliva tests, or tests that track head and eye movement or other physical phenomena which are currently under research, may indicate the presence of brain disturbance in association with a concussive injury.
• However, these physical tests have limited application, in that they are not able to identify the cognitive and psychological effects of the injury or track the recovery of cognitive functions to assist in return-to sport, work and learning decisions.
• In contrast, neurocognitive assessment can be used not only to confirm the presence of a concussive injury, but also offers the critical function of monitoring the recovery of cognitive functions such as speed of processing, memory, reaction time and impulse control over time, to assist in individualized return-to-sport, school or work decisions.

You can watch the video here https://www.bestbrainsolutions.com/brain-evaluation-video/

Neurocognitive Assessment and Mental Health Screening
BEST offers advice on well-researched neurocognitive test products available for use in clinical settings independent from the sports arena, such as memory/geriatric clinics, neurological clinics, general medical practices or clinics, oncology units, physiotherapy or occupational therapy practices.

These products can be used for neuropsychological evaluation of any neuropathological condition where cognitive changes are involved such as: traumatic brain injury, dementia, cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, the after-effects of Covid-19 and the effects of medication in epilepsy or other disorders. Neurocognitive tests can facilitate the investigation of the presence and extent of a disorder. It can also be used to monitor the course of a progressive disease, or the recovery of a reversible condition. BEST provides brief screening instruments for depression and anxiety which can be used to highlight changes in mood that may be associated with neuropathological conditions.

Balance Assessment
BEST provides cutting edge technology to accurately and objectively measure balance using specialized software. These tests can be used in clinical settings to assess and monitor balance in conditions such as vestibular and neurological conditions, lower limb musculoskeletal injuries and as part of a falls-risk assessment.

BEST can provide training and technical assistance in the use of all these assessment tools in your clinic, as well as the interpretation of the results by specialist neuropsychologists

Occupational health care is an investment in the future success and prosperity of organizations and their staff. BEST uses software that reinvents the way employees are monitored for signs of mental health illness and deficits in balance, memory, processing speed, reaction time and impulse control. Employers can objectively measure whether an employee is fit for work and whether there are any underlying conditions that may impact on their work capacity. This is an efficient way to detect, manage and mitigate risk in the workplace.

BEST offers research advice and collaborative research opportunities to individuals and organizations in sports concussion,
clinical and occupational settings.