--- title: Sport-Related Concussion Recovery in Athletes nct_id: NCT06852300 overall_status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION sponsor: University of Central Arkansas study_type: OBSERVATIONAL primary_condition: Concussion Mild countries: United States canonical_url: "https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT06852300.md" clinicaltrials_gov: "https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06852300" ct_last_update_post_date: 2025-03-06 last_seen_at: "2026-05-12T06:32:06.716Z" source: ClinicalTrials.gov (mirrored, no enrichment) --- # Sport-Related Concussion Recovery in Athletes **Official Title:** Enhancing Concussion Assessment: A Multimodal Approach Using Neurocognitive Testing, Balance Evaluation, and Functional Near-infrared Spectroscopy **NCT ID:** [NCT06852300](https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06852300) ## Key Facts - **Status:** ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION - **Study Type:** OBSERVATIONAL - **Target Enrollment:** 1000 - **Lead Sponsor:** University of Central Arkansas - **Conditions:** Concussion Mild, Concussion, Brain - **Start Date:** 2016-04-11 - **Completion Date:** 2030-05 - **CT.gov Last Update:** 2025-03-06 ## Brief Summary The goal of this study is to enhance the accuracy and sensitivity of concussion evaluation by integrating traditional assessment tools with emerging neuroimaging technologies, such as Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). By systematically collecting data across multiple assessment domains-including sideline evaluations, neurocognitive testing, balance assessments, vestibular/ocular-motor screening (VOMS), and brain activity measurements-this study aims to improve the diagnostic process and ensure a safer return-to-play protocol for athletes recovering from sport-related concussions. Research Questions: 1. How do traditional concussion assessment tools (SCAT, computerized neurocognitive tests, balance tests, and VOMS) compare to fNIRS in detecting changes in brain function following a sport-related concussion? 2. What is the relationship between pre-injury baseline measures, acute post- injury assessments, and recovery-phase evaluations in athletes diagnosed with a sport-related concussion? 3. Can fNIRS improve the sensitivity and specificity of concussion diagnosis compared to existing clinical assessments? 4. How do clinical symptoms, medical history, and other individual factors influence concussion recovery and return-to-play timelines? 5. Does integrating fNIRS with traditional assessment tools enhance the ability to track recovery progression and inform return-to-play decisions? This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of concussion diagnosis and recovery while assessing the added value of fNIRS technology in improving clinical decision-making. ## Detailed Description 1. Study Description This study aims to enhance the accuracy of concussion evaluation and improve return-to-play decisions for athletes recovering from sport-related concussions. By incorporating both traditional assessment tools and advanced neuroimaging technology, such as Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS), this research seeks to refine how concussions are diagnosed and monitored. 2. Who is Participating? College athletes will be recruited as part of their routine concussion baseline testing. Participants will include: * Athletes diagnosed with a sport-related concussion by healthcare providers. * Matched control athletes who have not sustained a concussion, assessed on the same schedule as concussed athletes. * Contact and non-contact sport athletes who have not experienced head injuries, tested before and after the season. 3. How is the Study Conducted? Testing occurs at four key time points: * Pre-Season (Baseline): Athletes complete a series of tests to establish their normal cognitive and physical function before any injuries occur. * Post-Injury (Within 72 Hours and Asymptomatic): If an athlete sustains a concussion, they undergo assessments shortly after the injury to measure its immediate effects. * Return-to-Play: Once the athlete has completed the necessary recovery steps and is cleared to return to play, they are reassessed to evaluate their recovery progress. * Re-Baseline (Six Months Post-Injury): Concussed athletes undergo follow- up testing at least six months after the injury to assess long-term recovery and determine whether any persistent neurophysiological changes remain. 4. What is Being Measured? This study utilizes a comprehensive concussion evaluation approach that includes: * Sideline assessments (e.g., Sports Concussion Assessment Tool \[SCAT\]) * Computerized neurocognitive testing (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) * Objective balance tests (NeuroCom VSR Sport) * Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Screening (VOMS) * Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to measure brain activity non-invasively * Clinical symptom tracking and medical history review 5. Why is This Study Important? The data collected will contribute to a robust database aimed at improving concussion assessment methods. By integrating fNIRS with standard concussion tests, this research seeks to enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve the ability to track recovery, and ensure a safer return to play for athletes. Additionally, the inclusion of a re-baseline assessment at six months post-injury will provide valuable insight into the long-term effects of concussion, informing future guidelines for concussion management. Ultimately, these findings could lead to more reliable tools for healthcare providers managing sport-related concussions. ## Eligibility - **Minimum age:** 18 Years - **Maximum age:** 26 Years - **Sex:** ALL - **Healthy Volunteers:** Yes ``` Inclusion Criteria: * Participants will be recruited from athletes who have sustained a concussion and/or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), as determined by a physical examination conducted by medical staff based on the established concussion definition: biomechnical forces, typically resulting from a direct blow to the head, face, neck, or elsewhere on the body with an impulsive force transmitted to the head. Exclusion Criteria: * Current diagnosis of a psychiatric illness, attention deficit disorder, or learning disability. * Current use of psychoactive medications. ``` ## Arms - **Concussed and Matched control Pool** — The concussed group consists of collegiate athletes who have been diagnosed with a sport-related concussion by healthcare providers and meet the specified inclusion criteria. Injured participants will undergo testing within 72 hours of the injury and at predetermined time points post-concussion. Matched control participants will be assessed at the same time intervals as their injured counterparts to ensure comparability. The concussion test battery will comprise five assessments designed to evaluate sport-related concussion: 1. Health Questionnaire, 2. Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT), 3. Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) 4. Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), 5. Balance Assessment. Additionally, the NIRSIT scanner will be utilized at each testing session to assess cognitive function and brain activity through Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS). - **Pre-season and Post-Season Subject Pool** — Participants will complete baseline concussion testing upon initiation into their intercollegiate athletic program. This group will consist of uninjured collegiate athletes from both contact and non-contact sports. Testing will be conducted at two time points: pre-season and post-season. ## Interventions - **Concussion Assessment Battery** (DEVICE) — The conclusion test battery will comprise five assessment designed to evaluate sport-related concussion: 1. Health Questionnaire - Including as assessment of signs and symptoms. 2. Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) 3. Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) 4. Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) 5. Postural stability assessment (NeuroCom VSR Sport). Functional Neuroimaging Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) is a non-invasive neuroimaging technology that measures brain activity by detecting changes in blood oxygenation. The NIRSIT scanner will be employed at each testing session to assess cognitive function using the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) and postural stability using the NeuroCom VSR Sport system. ## Primary Outcomes - **Prefrontal Cortex Activation during Neurocognitive Test using Functional Near- Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) in Division-I Athletes following Sports-Related Concussion** _(time frame: From enrollment to 1 year after becoming asymptomatic.)_ — To compare prefrontal hemodynamic activation using fNIRS during the performance of a computerized ImPACT in a sample of concussed Division-I athletes tested within 72 hours post-injury compared to age-matched healthy subjects. - **Prefrontal Cortex Activation During Postural Stability Testing Using Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) in Division-I Athletes Following Sport-Related Concussion** _(time frame: From enrollment to 1 year after becoming asymptomatic)_ — The purpose of this study is to examine prefrontal cortex activation during postural stability testing in Division-I athletes following a sport-related concussion using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). - **Evaluating the Sensitivity and Specificity of a Multifaceted Concussion Assessment Battery: A Comparison with Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) Outcomes** _(time frame: From enrollment 1 year after becoming asymptomatic)_ ## Secondary Outcomes - **Enhancing Concussion Assessment Battery: Evaluating the Validity of Reliable Change Indices (RCI) in Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) using Machine Learning Approaches.** _(time frame: From enrollment 1 year after becoming asymptomatic)_ - **Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling (ESEM) and Bifactor-ESEM analysis of the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) symptom inventory.** _(time frame: From enrollment 1 year after becoming asymptomatic)_ - **Neurocognitive Composite Scores and Symptom Scale Scores from the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT): Traditional vs Remote Administration** _(time frame: From enrollment 1 year after becoming asymptomatic)_ ## Locations (1) - University of Central Arkansas, Conway, Arkansas, United States ## Recent Field Changes (last 30 days) - `status.lastUpdatePostDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `design.enrollmentCount` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `status.overallStatus` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `status.primaryCompletionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `status.completionDate` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `eligibility.criteria` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `eligibility.minAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `eligibility.maxAge` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `eligibility.sex` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `outcomes.primary` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `outcomes.secondary` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `armsInterventions.arms` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `armsInterventions.interventions` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `sponsor.lead` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `results.hasResults` — added _(2026-05-12)_ - `locations.university of central arkansas|conway|arkansas|united states` — added _(2026-05-12)_ --- *Canonical: https://parkinsonspathways.com/agent/trials/NCT06852300.md* *Source data (authoritative): https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06852300* *This page is a raw mirror with no AI summary, no editorial enrichment, and no Parkinson's-specific filtering.*