Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible effects of sociocultural influences, specifically pertaining to language and education, on baseline neuropsychological concussion testing as obtained via immediate postconcussion assessment and cognitive testing (ImPACT) of players from a professional baseball team. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review. SETTING: Baseline testing of a professional baseball organization. PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred five professional baseball players. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES: Age, languages spoken, hometown country location (United States/Canada vs overseas), and years of education. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The 5 ImPACT composite scores (verbal memory, visual memory, visual motor speed, reaction time, impulse control) and ImPACT total symptom score from the initial baseline testing. RESULTS: The result of t tests revealed significant differences (P < 0.05) when comparing native English to native Spanish speakers in many scores. Even when corrected for education, the significant differences (P < 0.05) remained in some scores. CONCLUSIONS: Sociocultural differences may result in differences in computer-based neuropsychological testing scores.