Concussion Baseline Assessment
Know your baseline. Be prepared if an injury occurs.
A concussion baseline assessment provides a snapshot of your balance, vision, eye movements, reaction time, and other physical and cognitive functions before a concussion occurs. If an injury happens in the future, your baseline results can provide valuable information to help guide evaluation, recovery, and return-to-activity decisions.
Baseline ≠ Concussion Evaluation
A baseline assessment measures how you function when healthy. If you experience a head injury or develop concussion symptoms, a separate clinical evaluation is needed.
Who can benefit?
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Athletes participating in contact or collision sports
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Athletes with a history of concussion
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Individuals participating in recreational or high-risk activities
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Students and active adults who want objective information about their current function
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Anyone who wants to establish a baseline before returning to or beginning a sport
What does the assessment include?
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Balance and postural control
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Oculomotor and visual function
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Vestibular function
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Gait and movement
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Reaction time
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Cervical/neck function
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Symptom assessment
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Cognitive or dual-task performance
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Additional measures based on your individual needs
Why establish a baseline?
Concussion symptoms and recovery can look different from person to person. Having pre-injury information can provide an additional point of comparison if a concussion occurs.
A baseline assessment may help your healthcare team:
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Identify changes following a suspected concussion
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Better understand your individual presentation
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Guide rehabilitation and activity progression
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Track recovery over time
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Support return-to-sport or return-to-activity decisions
What happens if I sustain a concussion?
A baseline assessment does not prevent or diagnose a concussion and should not be used on its own to determine whether someone has sustained an injury. If a concussion occurs, you should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional. Your baseline results can then be used as one piece of information alongside your symptoms, clinical examination, and other appropriate testing.
When should I complete a baseline?
Ideally, baseline testing is completed when you are healthy and functioning at your normal level, before the season or activity begins. For athletes, establishing a baseline before participation each season or periodically based on age, sport, history, and clinical recommendations may be appropriate.
A proactive approach to concussion care
Baseline testing is one part of a comprehensive approach to concussion management. At Brekke Rehab, we combine objective testing with clinical reasoning to help understand how an individual is functioning before and after injury.
Know your baseline. Be prepared.