Researchers,
supported in part by the National Institutes of Health, determined that the
King-Devick test detected 79 percent of concussions suffered by athletes of the University of Florida men’s football,
women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse teams. The study followed 217 athletes, 30
of whom had a first concussion during the season the testing was taking place.
When
combined with the test results of two other comprehensive concussion tests –
the Standardized Assessment of Concussion and the Balance Error Scoring System
– 100 percent of concussions were identified.
“I
don’t think we’re ever going to have one comprehensive sideline test,” said
study co-author Dr. James Clugston, team physician for the University of
Florida Athletic Department, Gainesville . “But the King-Devick
casts a wider net in diagnosing concussions.”