HealthONE’s Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children announced its
continuing use of state-of-the-art treatment and tools by offering
ImPACTTM baseline testing at a location in Parker. The computerized
test creates a baseline pre-season evaluation for brain functions
such as memory skills, motor skills and reaction time. If the child
sustains a concussion, the results can be used to measure the
individual’s progress back to normal.
The test is being administered by the Rocky Mountain Youth
Sports Medicine Institute Center for Concussion. To make the
testing more accessible to student athletes and their parents, it
will be offered on upcoming Saturdays at Arapahoe Community College
campus in Parker.
“The latest research has shown that concussion is much more
complex than we once believed,” said Brooke Pengel, MD, medical
director for the Rocky Mountain Youth Sports Medicine Institute.
“Concussion management requires prompt evaluation and assessment to
avoid returning athletes to play too soon, where they may sustain
another concussion that could put them at risk for serious,
long-term brain injury.”
ImPACT testing is open to all students between the ages of 11
and 18 years of age. Pengel especially recommends ImPACT baseline
testing for those children who participate in sports, either
recreationally or with a school, that are at a risk for blows to
the head, either through contact or falls. This can include
football, soccer, basketball, hockey and most snow sports.
“ImPACT baseline testing, while not essential to concussion
management, does offer one more piece of data when deciding when
and how to return an athlete to play,” said Karen McAvoy, PsyD,
director for the Center for Concussion at Rocky Mountain Hospital
for Children. “Baseline testing provides a snapshot of the brain
prior to sustaining the concussion and subsequent post-concussion
testing then helps to direct the safest course of recovery.”
ImPACT baseline testing takes approximately one hour. During the
testing session, a parent or guardian will attend an informative
educational session to understand how this test is used in context
of a comprehensive concussion management approach.
ImPACTTM baseline testing:
8 a.m., 9 a.m. or 11 a.m.
April 9 and May 14
Arapahoe Community College, Parker campus, 15653 Brookstone Dr.
in Parker
