Reliability of Child SCAT 3 Component Scores in Non-Concussed Children at Rest and After Exercise

Abstract

Title: Reliability of Child SCAT 3 Component Scores in Children at Rest and Following Exercise

Author Names: Jeff Billeck, BPE, CAT(C)1, Mike Ellis, MD2, Jeff Leiter, PhD2, Joanne Parsons, PhD, BPT3. Jason Peeler, PhD, CAT(C)4

Problem: A lack of research exists regarding the test-retest reliability of the Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3 (Child SCAT 3) in healthy non-concussed adolescent females in both baseline and post-exercise settings.

Method: This study consisted of two testing sessions. Within each session the Child Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3 (Child SCAT 3) was administered once prior to exercise and once after a bout of exercise.

Results: Individual component scores displayed a wide range of reliability and response stability values. A positive correlation existed within one session, between child symptom scores and slower rates of heart rate recovery after exercise.

Conclusions: Overall, the Child SCAT 3 appears to be a moderately reliable assessment tool when used to evaluate uninjured female children. However, further research is required to clarify the exact sources of method error within individual Child SCAT 3 component scores.