The Valley Hospital Helps Parents, Athletes With Concussion Baseline Tests

RIDGEWOOD, N.J. -- For young athletes, concussion are quickly becoming a growing problem. Usually caused by a bump or blow to the head, concussions occur when the brain, suspended inside the skull and surrounded by fluid, continues to travel with momentum until it “bangs” up against the skull. In order to ensure that those who might experience concussions are accurately diagnosed and effectively treated, The Valley Hospital is offering ImPACT Concussion Management Testing later this month.

The Valley Hospital will offer baseline concussion testing for athletes age 11 and older later this month.
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John Haffey

Content Partner: Valley Health System

ImPACT baseline testing is a 20-30 minute neurocognitive test battery that includes measures of verbal and visual memory, attention span, brain processing speed and reaction time and balance. These tests provide important pre-injury data, which in the event of a concussion, is compared to post-concussion results to create a better understanding of brain trauma. This comparison helps to diagnose and manage the concussion, as well as help determine when it's safe for a player to return to activity.

Since most area high schools already have testing in place, Valley's ImPACT testing program is specifically designed for those playing on town-sponsored youth sports teams, ages 11 and older.

The next scheduled baseline testing sessions will take place on Thursday, March 30 at Valley’s Kraft Center, located at 15 Essex Road in Paramus. Two sessions will be held at 4:30 p.m. and at 6:00 p.m. The tests will be conducted in the third floor computer lab.

Pre-registration is required and space is limited. The fee is $25. Please call 201-447-8133 for more information and to register.