Why is baseline screening important?
Everyone's brain function is slightly different, and what we consider normal for 1 person may not be normal for you. Without baseline testing, we compare your results to a pool of data collected from other people. This gives us a range that we would expect your results to fall into. Understanding your specific ‘normal’ or ‘baseline’ means we can compare your current function to where you should be. Patients also often feel better (i.e. their symptoms have passed) before their brain has fully recovered. By understanding your individual baseline we can design more effective treatments and better determine when you are recovered. It means a safer return to sport because we know that those who have suffered a concussion are at a higher risk of suffering a subsequent one, and even have a higher risk of suffering other injuries post-concussion.
If you are an athlete concerned about the risks of multiple concussions, having an accurate, objective baseline is one of the safest ways to monitor for change.