Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5

The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5) is a standardized tool used for evaluating injured athletes for concussion.

It is suitable for athletes aged 13 years and older.

The SCAT5 is a significant update from previous versions, incorporating the latest research and consensus on concussion management.

Here is an overview of the SCAT5:

Components of SCAT5

1. Symptom Evaluation
   • Athlete Background: Includes details such as the date and time of injury, sport played, and previous concussion history.
   • Symptom Checklist: The athlete rates 22 symptoms on a scale from 0 (none) to 6 (severe).
2. Cognitive Screening
   • Orientation: Questions related to the date, day of the week, and current time.
   • Immediate Memory: The athlete repeats a list of words immediately after hearing them.
   • Concentration: Involves tasks like repeating digits backward and reciting the months in reverse order.
3. Neurological Screening
   • Balance Examination: The athlete performs balance tasks to assess stability and postural control.
   • Coordination: The athlete is asked to perform tasks like touching their finger to their nose repeatedly.
4. Delayed Recall
   • Memory: The athlete recalls the list of words from the immediate memory task after a delay.
5. Decision
   • The assessor uses the information gathered to make a clinical judgment about the presence and severity of a concussion.

Steps in Using SCAT5

1. Pre-season Baseline Testing
   • Conduct baseline assessments before the season starts for comparison if an injury occurs.
2. Injury Assessment
   • Perform SCAT5 as soon as possible after a suspected concussion. The assessment should be done in a controlled environment away from distractions.
3. Follow-up Testing
   • Repeat SCAT5 periodically to monitor the athlete’s recovery and to make return-to-play decisions.

Important Considerations

• Rest and Recovery: Rest is critical for recovery. Gradual return to activity should be guided by healthcare professionals.
• Professional Judgment: SCAT5 is a tool to assist in clinical decision-making but should not replace professional medical judgment.
• Serial Assessments: Multiple assessments over time provide a more comprehensive picture of the athlete’s recovery.

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Sample SCAT5 Form

NOTE: This form is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 

SCAT5 – Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5

Athlete Information

• Name:
• Date:
• Sport/Team:
• Date of Birth:
• Gender: M / F
• Examiner:
• Date of Injury:
• Time of Injury:
• Mechanism of Injury:

Symptom Evaluation

Symptom Checklist

Please rate the following symptoms based on how you feel now:

Symptom	None (0)	Mild (1)	Moderate (2)	Severe (3)	Very Severe (4)	Extremely Severe (5)	Maximal Severity (6)
Headache
Pressure in head
Neck pain
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness
Blurred vision
Balance problems
Sensitivity to light
Sensitivity to noise
Feeling slowed down
Feeling like “in a fog”
“Don’t feel right”
Difficulty concentrating
Difficulty remembering
Fatigue or low energy
Confusion
Drowsiness
Trouble falling asleep
More emotional
Irritability
Sadness
Nervous or anxious

Total Symptom Score:

Cognitive Screening

Orientation

Question	Response
What month is it?
What is the date today?
What is the day of the week?
What year is it?
What time is it right now? (within 1 hour)

Immediate Memory

List	Trial 1	Trial 2	Trial 3
Elbow, Apple, Carpet, Saddle, Bubble
Candle, Paper, Sugar, Sandwich, Wagon
Finger, Penny, Blanket, Lemon, Insect

Total Score (out of 15):

Concentration

Task	Score
Digits backward: 4-9-3 (Example)
Digits backward: 5-1-8-4-6
Digits backward: 6-2-9-7-3
Months in reverse order

Neurological Screening

Balance Examination

Task	Score
Double leg stance
Single leg stance (non-dominant foot)
Tandem stance

Coordination

Task	Score
Finger-to-nose (5 repetitions)

Delayed Recall

List	Score
Elbow, Apple, Carpet, Saddle, Bubble
Candle, Paper, Sugar, Sandwich, Wagon
Finger, Penny, Blanket, Lemon, Insect

Total Score (out of 15):

Clinical Decision

Based on the assessment, does the athlete show signs of a concussion?

• Yes / No

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