Concussion Tests
Reviewed
Concussion tests help evaluate brain function after a head injury to determine if a concussion (mild traumatic brain injury) has occurred. They involve questionnaires, cognitive tests, and physical exams.
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations for concussion testing.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- Concussion tests are screening assessments and cannot confirm a concussion with certainty.
- A negative result does not completely rule out a concussion, as symptoms may appear hours or days later.
- These tests are not a substitute for a thorough medical examination after a head injury.
What to do next
Based on the test results, your healthcare provider will recommend a recovery plan that typically includes physical and mental rest, limiting screen time, and possibly time off from school or work. Follow-up testing may be done to monitor recovery. It is important to allow full healing before returning to regular activities to avoid a second concussion.