The Sensitivity and Specificity of Testing for Concussion with Dr Jacob Resch

Dr Andy Franklyn-Miller Sports Medicine

I am delighted to talk with Assoc Prof Jacob Resch on the background behind his paper published in BMJ Open Sports and Exercise Medicine, in a discussion around the paper entitled "The sensitivity and specificity of clinical measures of sport concussion: three tests are better than one" which features in my next Research Review 132. Sign up here www.drandyfranklynmiller.com/review. The paper is Open access and can be accessed here http://bmjopensem.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000012.abstract We talk about the diagnosis of Concussion, the current state of neurocognitive function tests, the statistics behind them, and the basis for multiple tests and the improved sensitivity and specificity and also the future of concussion diagnosis. Dr. Jacob Resch completed his undergraduate degrees and Athletic Training and Health Promotions at South Dakota State University before traveling to study and work in London, England. After returning to the United States, Jacob completed his MS in Exercise and Sport Science at South Dakota State while working clinically for Orthopedic Institute in Sioux Falls, SD. Jacob then pursued his Ph.D. in Exercise Science at the University of Georgia investigating current and novel measures of sport concussion and became increasingly involved with the global efforts to expand the profession of athletic training. Following the completion of his doctorate, Jacob obtained an assistant professor position at the University of Texas at Arlington for four years where he taught within the Athletic Training Education Program and conducted research addressing sport concussion in middle school, high school, and collegiate athletes.He now serves as faculty of the University of Virginia Department of Kinesiology in the Fall of 2014 where he teaches in the Graduate Athletic Training Program and continues to investigate current and novel measures of concussion as part of the Brain Injury and Sport Concussion Institute. Jacob also serves as an active member of the National Athletic Trainers’ Association International Committee and the World Federation of Athletic Training and Therapy. The focus of Dr. Resch’s research is to investigate the measurement properties of current and novel measures of sport concussion in adult and adolescent athletes. Dr. Resch’s previous studies have addressed reliability and validity of computerized neurocognitive and balance measures. Dr. Resch is currently expanding upon his previous research with computerized neurocognitive and balance measures while investigating novel measures such as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), and other biomarkers. You can follow Jacob on twitter @JResch I write a weekly 4 paper research review summary in sports medicine, science, and performance and you can subscribe at www.drandyfranklynmiller.com/review