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2.7 Does the SCAT5 10-word list improve the distribution of scores over the SCAT3 5-word list in professional hockey players?
  1. Ruben Echemendia1,2,
  2. Joannie Thelen1,
  3. Meeuwisse Willem3,
  4. Michael Hutchison4,
  5. Paul Comper5,
  6. Jared Bruce6
  1. 1University of Missouri – Kansas City, Kansas City, MO, USA
  2. 2Concussion Care Clinic, University Orthopedics Center, State College, PA, USA
  3. 3National Hockey League, New York, NY, USA
  4. 4University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
  5. 5Toronto Rehabilitation Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
  6. 6University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Medicine, Kansas City, MO, USA

Abstract

Objective The SCAT5 introduced Immediate Memory (IM) and Delayed Recall (DR)10-word lists to improve the ceiling effects found on SCAT3 5-word lists. We examined whether the 10-word lists improved the normative distribution of scores over the 5-word lists at baseline among professional hockey players.

Design Retrospective Cohort.

Setting Outpatient professional hockey.

Participants English-language preference professional hockey players completed the SCAT3 5-word lists (n=1123) during pre-season in 2017 and SCAT5 10-word lists (n=1479) in 2019 for a total sample of 2602.

Independent Variables 5-word vs. 10-word SCAT lists.

Outcome Measures SCAT3 5-word IM and DR, SCAT5 10-word IM and DR scores.

Main Results SCAT3 5-word IM lists produced a significant total score ceiling effect (M=14.62, md=15). A perfect score of 15 was achieved by 809 players (72%) on the 5-word list. In contrast, the SCAT5 10-word IM lists total scores were normally distributed (M=21.30, md=21). Only 1 player (0.1%) obtained a perfect score. Older players outperformed younger players (rs =.19, p<.001). Differences were found across language groups, F(7,1863)=7.14, p<.001, and form versions of the lists, F(2,1868)=62.41, p<.001. The 5-word DR component yielded similar distributions (M= 3.89, md=4) with 39% of players obtaining perfect scores. The 10-word mean DR score=7.02 (md=7). Again, older players outperformed younger players (rs =.12, p< .001). No language differences emerged.

Conclusions The 10-word lists improved the distribution of scores on the SCAT5 IM/DR tasks, which should improve the detection of impaired performance following concussion. Significant differences were found in age, language preference and form.

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