Feasibility study of a simple reaction test for immediate sideline-analysis â€' preliminary results$

Objective Reaction testing is an integral part of sideline testing in sport-related concussion. Present established tools include time-demanding computer-based tools and analysis of the clinical reaction time with a special apparatus. The present tool is a mobile phone program using a simple reaction time equivalent. Design Case control study. Setting Professional German Hockey League Players and regional youth players. Participants 20 professional ice-hockey players. Interventions (or Assessment of risk factors) Analysis of a simple dual task reaction time (sRT; one of two symbols) and a complex one of four symbol reaction time (cRT). Outcome measures Analysis of average baseline times, fastest and slowest 10% values, overall application time and comparison to 4 players sustaining concussions. Main results Mean sRT was 0,354s (95% confidence intervals (0,330;0,377) with fastest 10% 0,294s and slowest time 0,539s. The overall procedure needed 65,4s. Mean cRT was 0,43s (95% confidence intervals (0,423;0,437) with fastest 10% 0,34s and slowest time 0,592s. The overall procedure needed 117,364. The 4 patients with sustained concussion had immediately a sRT and a cRT of 0,518s and 0,677s, respectively. A value of 0,5s is probably an expected cut-off. Conclusions This simple web- and mobile-phone-based program allows safe analysis of prolonged reaction times in concussed athletes. Competing interests None.