200 adolescent rugby players (aged 15-19) from the Senior Cup Teams of 5 Rugby Playing schools (Members of Irish Schools Rugby) will be invited to enroll for inclusion in the study. The study will collect data on brain health, including computer based skill testing, eye tracking and balance and on task completion, cover existing tests in the established SCAT 3 alongside response to exercise testing and a clinical examination including baseline blood tests known to influence recovery from concussion in a rugby playing population of adolescent schoolboys. The initial data will be taken before the 2016/2017 season starts. The volume of rugby training and match play will be recorded along with activity monitoring in general. For those subjects who sustain concussion a dedicated clinic will provide all after care including repeat clinical examination and magnetic resonance imaging along with a graduated return to exercise and a compressive rehabilitation programme at Sports Surgery Clinic (SSC). A Consultant Sports Physician will manage the return to play programme with an exercise, cognitive, balance, eye movement and neck strength programme.
Age range
15 Years – 19 Years
Sex
MALE
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
1) Clinical assessment - assessing change from baseline and between post-concussion visits
Timeframe: 1 Rugby season -2016-2017. All participants will be assessed in preseason (August 2016 - September 2016). Participants who sustain a concussion will have the assessment repeated within 72hours of the concussion and on a weekly basis until fully recovered
2) Questionnaire - assessing change from baseline and between post-concussion visits
Timeframe: 1 Rugby season -2016-2017. All participants will be assessed in preseason (August 2016 - September 2016). Participants who sustain a concussion will have the assessment repeated within 72hours of the concussion and on a weekly basis until fully recovered
3) Computerised cognitive assessment - assessing change from baseline and between post-concussion visits
Timeframe: 1 Rugby season -2016-2017. All participants will be assessed in preseason (August 2016 - September 2016). Participants who sustain a concussion will have the assessment repeated within 72hours of the concussion and on a weekly basis until fully recovered
4) King Devick Test - assessing change from baseline and between post-concussion visits
Timeframe: 1 Rugby season -2016-2017. All participants will be assessed in preseason (August 2016 - September 2016). Participants who sustain a concussion will have the assessment repeated within 72hours of the concussion and on a weekly basis until fully recovered
5) Vestibulo-ocular assessment - assessing change from baseline and between post-concussion visits
Timeframe: 1 Rugby season -2016-2017. All participants will be assessed in preseason (August 2016 - September 2016). Participants who sustain a concussion will have the assessment repeated within 72hours of the concussion and on a weekly basis until fully recovered
6) Balance assessment (BESS) - assessing change from baseline and between post-concussion visits
Timeframe: 1 Rugby season -2016-2017. All participants will be assessed in preseason (August 2016 - September 2016). Participants who sustain a concussion will have the assessment repeated within 72hours of the concussion and on a weekly basis until fully recovered
7) Neck strength - assessing change from baseline and between post-concussion visits
Timeframe: 1 Rugby season -2016-2017. All participants will be assessed in preseason (August 2016 - September 2016). Participants who sustain a concussion will have the assessment repeated within 72hours of the concussion and on a weekly basis until fully recovered
8) Accusway balance assessment - assessing change from baseline and between post-concussion visits
Timeframe: 1 Rugby season -2016-2017. All participants will be assessed in preseason (August 2016 - September 2016). Participants who sustain a concussion will have the assessment repeated within 72hours of the concussion and on a weekly basis until fully recovered
9) Exercise Challenge Test - assessing change from baseline and between post-concussion visits
Timeframe: 1 Rugby season -2016-2017. All participants will be assessed in preseason (August 2016 - September 2016). Participants who sustain a concussion will have the assessment repeated within 72hours of the concussion and on a weekly basis until fully recovered
10) Haematology - assessing change from baseline and between post-concussion visits
Timeframe: 1 Rugby season -2016-2017. All participants will be assessed in preseason (August 2016 - September 2016). Participants who sustain a concussion will have the assessment repeated within 72hours of the concussion and on a weekly basis until fully recovered
11) Activity monitoring - assessing change from baseline and between post-concussion visits
Timeframe: 1 Rugby season -2016-2017. All participants will be assessed in preseason (August 2016 - September 2016). Participants who sustain a concussion will have the assessment repeated within 72hours of the concussion and on a weekly basis until fully recovered