Why Do We Baseline Test Students?

Baseline Screening Provides Critical Data Before a Concussion or Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

At MAC Alliance, our baseline concussion and brain monitoring testing tools are a diagnostic benchmark that allows physicians and medical providers an excellent starting point in understanding concussions and abnormal brain function post-injury. Typical imaging for traumatic head injuries such as CAT scanning and MRIs can’t detect or diagnose even the most severe concussions and are only helpful in diagnosing skull fractures or brain bleeding post-head injury.

When an accident, such as a fall at work or a sports collision occurs, having a personal baseline “normal” score to compare to a “post-injury” score helps detect differences with increased accuracy. If the scores show a deficit difference, our specialists can use the results to create a plan and therapies to treat the concussion or injury specialized to that patient’s specific needs.

MAC Alliance provides three top baseline type tests, Sway Balance System, ImPACT, and Creyos Health assessments:

Sway Balance System Baseline Screening

Sway Balance System is an FDA-cleared Class II technology that works via an app on your cell phone or tablet. The test is done by resting the phone or tablet against your chest and performing a series of specific balancing exercises. The built–in accelerometer can measure postural stability throughout the intervals of the test. Research studies back Sway’s accuracy and reliability, and balance baseline data can be used later to help diagnose and monitor a concussion or other traumatic brain injury TBI. The Sway Balance testing tool works well with kids and adults, and it can be done anywhere. The test takes approximately two to five minutes and provides reliable brain health baseline data, and can accurately monitor the recovery process of a diagnosed concussion

ImPACT Baseline Testing

ImPACT has been known as the gold-standard of baseline concussion testing for athletes and sports-related head injuries, as well as non-athletic head injuries. Developed by a team of neuroscientists at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, this exam is a computerized 20-minute timed test widely used by thousands of healthcare organizations and professional sports leagues, including the NFL, NHL and MLS. The ImPACT baseline test is designed to measure verbal and visual memory, visual-motor speed, and other cognitive functions. In the event of a head injury, baseline test results are compared to ImPACT post-injury results to identify changes in cognitive function and help create a tailored concussion treatment plan.

Creyos Health (formerly Cambridge Brain Sciences’ CBS Health) Baselines

Creyos Health assessments are computerized tests that, like ImPACT, measures a wide range of cognitive functions. Backed by 25 years of scientific research, Creyos Health baselines can compare and analyze cognitive functions post-injury. What’s unique about this test is that there is no time pressure, and the tasks are designed to be unintimidating for users. This test was developed with patients of all ages in mind.

MAC Alliance uses all three of these baseline tools, some individually and also in combinations determined appropriate by our specialists and physicians, to later analyze concussion and head injury severity if an accident were to occur. This “snapshot” of your healthy brain may be extremely valuable. Taking a few proactive moments to complete one or more these baselines can ensure a quicker and more accurate diagnosis if a head injury happened later down the road. Think of it as a form of insurance for your brain health.

Baselines are Not Just for Athletes

We encourage all athletes involved in organized sports teams to take baseline exams. Still, it is also important for people to take baseline assessments that are not athletes or participating in organized sports. The CDC reports that accidental falls were the leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. Falls leading to the emergency room visits are disproportionally children and older adults, not from pro-athletes. The second leading cause of traumatic brain injury is from motor vehicle accidents, not sports injury. MAC Alliance recommends baseline testing for:

Student athletes
Residents at assisted living or nursing care facilities
Adult athletes
Employees in workplaces where physical activity is high (i.e., constructions workers, package delivery drivers, distribution center employees, police officers and firefighters)

Where Can I Get Baseline Testing?

Baselines have never been more accessible with our MAC Brain Health Cart that allows people to take baseline tests in locations outside of concussion clinics. MAC-Cart contains Sway Balance System, ImPACT, and Creyos Health Assessments all on one portable wheeled device. The baseline assessment results of any of these tests can then be sent to one of our MAC Alliance specialists to then interpret and come up with a plan.