In a dramatic turn of events on May 10th, the Boston Bruins captain, Brad Marchand, found himself stumbling towards the ice at TD Garden, much to the shock and concern of fans and teammates alike. It was a moment that left everyone holding their breath as Marchand struggled to get back on his feet, almost toppling over without the assistance of James van Riemsdyk.
Unbeknownst to most at the time, Marchand had likely suffered a concussion due to a punch to the face from Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers. It wasn’t until two days later, when an alternate camera angle revealed the incident, that the severity of the situation became apparent to everyone.
Following the NHL’s Concussion Evaluation and Management Protocol, Marchand was immediately taken off the ice for evaluation in a distraction-free environment. The protocol dictates that a player must be evaluated if they exhibit symptoms such as a blank or vacant look, or if they are slow to get up after a fall.
Part of the evaluation process includes the completion of the comprehensive Sport Concussion Assessment Tool — 5th Edition (SCAT5). This tool involves various components such as recalling the date, repeating word series, and reciting months in reverse order to assess cognitive function.
However, as Dr. Mike McCrea, a neuropsychologist and director of the Brain Injury Research program at the Medical College of Wisconsin, points out, these tests have limitations and can be influenced by factors such as fatigue, distraction, and intensity of the moment. Despite advancements in concussion assessment protocols, there is still a need for objective biological markers of injury.
McCrea, who has also worked with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers since 2013, understands the challenges of making rapid and accurate concussion assessments in high-pressure environments like Lambeau Field. The subjective nature of clinical tools and the potential lack of honesty from players further complicate the diagnosis process.
To address these challenges, medical director McQuiston of Abbott, a Chicago-based healthcare company, announced the FDA clearance of the i-STAT TBI cartridge, a blood-based rapid concussion test. This groundbreaking test would provide doctors with results within 15 minutes, offering a more objective approach to diagnosing concussions in athletes.
Overall, the incident involving Brad Marchand serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to improve concussion evaluation and management in sports. With advancements in technology and medical research, there is hope for a future where concussions can be detected and treated more efficiently, ensuring the safety and well-being of athletes in all competitive sports.