1st Edition

Sports Neuropsychology Assessment and Management of Traumatic Brain Injury

Edited By Ruben J. Echemendia Copyright 2006

    Neuropsychologists are increasingly involved in the assessment and management of sports-related concussion. This is the only book to provide practical guidelines for evaluating mild head injury and making crucial return-to-play decisions for athletes at all levels, from schoolchildren to high school, college, and professional players. Essential basic knowledge is presented and exemplary concussion management programs are described in depth. Coverage encompasses the most sophisticated, evidence-based neurocognitive techniques, including computerized test batteries for pre- and postconcussion assessment. With special attention to ethical and professional issues, the book provides keys to successful collaboration with physicians, coaches and trainers, and patients and their families.

    I. Sports Neuropsychology in Context
    1. Sports: A New Frontier for Neuropsychology, Jeffrey T. Barth, Donna K. Broshek, and Jason R. Freeman
    2. A History of Sports-Related Concussions: A Neuropsychological Perspective, Eric A. Zillmer, Jillian Schneider, Jennifer Tinker, and Catherine I. Kaminaris
    3. Consulting with Athletes: Rewards and Pitfalls, Ruben J. Echemendía
    II. Concussion Assessment and Management
    4. Definition, Physiology, and Severity of Cerebral Concussion, Frank M. Webbe
    5. Epidemiology of Cerebral Concussion: The Extent of the Problem, Stephen N. Macciocchi
    6. Assessing Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on the Sideline, William B. Barr
    7. Return to Play, Ruben J. Echemendía
    III. Testing Programs
    8. Concussion Management Programs for School-Age Children, Jill Brooks
    9. Creating a Successful Concussion Management Program at the High School Level, Jamie Pardini and Micky Collins
    10. Neuropsychological Testing Programs for College Athletes, Philip Schatz and Tracey Covassin
    11. Neuropsychological Assessment of the Professional Athlete, Mark R. Lovell
    IV. Computerized Neuropsychological Test Batteries
    12. The ImPACT Neuropsychological Test Battery, Mark R. Lovell
    13. The HeadMinder Concussion Resolution Index, Tanya Kaushik and David M. Erlanger
    14. CogSport, Alexander Collie, Paul Maruff, David Darby, Michael Makdissi, Paul McCrory, and Michael McStephen
    15. Sports Concussion Applications of the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics Sports Medicine Battery, Joseph Bleiberg, Alison Cernich, and Dennis Reeves
    V. Views from within the Sports Medicine Team
    16. The Athletic Trainer's Point of View, John L. Furtado
    17. The Team Physician's Point of View, Margot Putukian

    Biography

    Ruben J. Echemendía, PhD, obtained his doctoral degree from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, Ohio. Formerly, Dr. Echemendía served as Director of the Psychological Clinic at The Pennsylvania State University for 15 years before pursuing a full-time independent practice. During his tenure at Penn State, he founded the clinical neuropsychology laboratory in the Department of Psychology, where he focused his research efforts on the diagnosis and management of cerebral concussion, and was the principal investigator for the grant-supported Penn State Cerebral Concussion Program. He has served as Director of the National Hockey League's Neuropsychological Testing Program and as neuropsychological consultant to the United States Soccer Federation and the U.S. national soccer teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins Hockey Club, and several minor league, college, and high school programs. He has edited three books, is the author of numerous book chapters, and has published extensively in psychological and medical journals. Dr. Echemendía has presented symposia, lectures, and research papers throughout the United States and internationally. He is a Fellow of the National Academy of Neuropsychology and was recently elected a Fellow of the American Psychological Association, Division of Neuropsychology.

    As neuropsychological assessment, especially computerized, plays an increasingly prominent role in the recognition and management of athletic mild traumatic brain injury, this comprehensive text is a 'must read' for the entire sports medicine team treating such injuries. Written by a 'who’s who' in the field, and covering all age groups, this is by far the most salient text on this important subject.--Robert C. Cantu, MD, Neurosurgery Service, Emerson Hospital; Neurological Sports Injury Center, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

    This practical yet scholarly volume provides important information for those interested in sports neuropsychology. It includes useful suggestions for handling many professional issues that neuropsychologists face when evaluating an athlete, including the key (and difficult) question of how to evaluate recovery from concussion and determine an athlete's readiness to return to play. This up-to-date book will be of benefit to both experienced and beginning neuropsychologists involved in this new area of work.--George P. Prigatano, PhD, Department of Clinical Neuropsychology, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center

    Athletes frequently suffer concussions, and neuropsychologists are increasingly playing a role in assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and return to play. This book provides both breadth and depth in the areas of concussion management and sports neuropsychology. The chapters are interesting, unique, and written by leaders in the field. I consider it essential reading for professionals interested in sports neuropsychology.--Grant L. Iverson, PhD, Department of Psychiatry, University of British Columbia, Canada
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    The text will likely be of greatest interest to neuropsychologists....[It] will be of interest to other sports medicine clinicians who are interested in obtaining an in-depth appreciation of the history and development of neurocognitive testing in sports, and how various cognitive functions are assessed by the different computerized neurocognitive tests. Athletic trainers and team physicians may find the chapter on sideline assessment particularly useful. Students or neuroscientists needing a review of sports concussion epidemiology and basic concussion pathophysiology will also find the book valuable....Sports Neuropsychology is well-written, does not suffer from the redundancy found in many edited texts, and should be considered a useful and authoritative review of the status of this emerging specialty.
    --Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences, 2/8/2006ƒƒ
    This timely resource represents a compilation of historical, conceptual, developmental, and applied knowledge concerning the neuropsychological sequelae and implications of sports-related concussive injuries in both amateur and professional athletes....A welcome addition to the broader field of clinical neuropsychology providing a blueprint that maps out new avenues for clinical practice. It covers a wide range of conceptual and practical issues concerning the diagnosis and treatment of concussive injuries, and is an excellent resource for practicing clinicians working with a broad spectrum of competitive athletes.
    --Developmental Neuropsychology, 2/8/2006ƒƒ
    The book is well-referenced and very readable....The book is well edited so that the writing style flows naturally....Ample ideas for research can be found throughout the text....It would serve well as a reference book for professionals involved with sports programs or neurological rehabilitation.
    --Physical Therapy, 2/8/2006ƒƒ
    An interesting and useful book, because it sheds light on a relatively novel but growing area of clinical practice for neurologists and clinical neuropsychologists and includes valuable practical information for someone interested in developing a sports concussion management program. Concussion management certainly appears to be a burgeoning field, and this book does an excellent job of discussing practical matters critical for assisting in the care of athletes at all levels of competition.
    --Archives of Neurology, 2/8/2006