Concussion in cricket: Clinical findings using Sport Concussion Assessment Tool and recovery timeframes

<div>Abstract:-  Objectives: To retrospectively review data of concussed and non-concussed elite cricket athletes following head impact to describe which clinical features on the day of injury are associated with concussion diagnosis. A secondary aim was to describe the recovery time of concussed athletes. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Methods: This study reviewed five seasons of Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) data and clinical records for elite male and female cricket athletes who sustained a head impact during a cricket match or training. Results: Data from 30 concussed and 37 non-concussed athletes were compared. Symptoms of ‘don’t feel right’ and ‘feeling slowed down’ had the strongest clinical utility for a concussion diagnosis post head impact. Concussed athletes reported a significantly lower ‘percent of normal’ (median 60%, IQR 60–90%) compared to athletes who sustained a non-concussive head impact (median 99%, IQR 95–100%, <em>p</em> = 0.003). No other component of the SCAT distinguished concussed from non-concussed athletes on day of injury. Concussed athletes typically experienced symptom resolution within 2–8 days and completed a graded return to play protocol within 4–14 days. No differences in SCAT findings or recovery times were observed between genders. Conclusion: The SCAT may be used as a clinical tool to assist in diagnosis of concussionin elite cricket athletes. The components of the SCAT with the greatest clinical utility on day of injury were athlete-reported symptoms and ‘percent of normal’. Concussed cricket athletes typically complete their graded return to play protocol within 14 days however individualised management is paramount. </div>