Fourteen percent of school-aged children with mild TBI have Post Concussion Syndrome (PCS) for 3 months or longer (Barlow, 2010). Identifying those at risk of prolonged symptoms in the Emergency Department (ED) would be useful. Some studies suggest that computerized cognitive testing (CCT) may help identify these children but it is normally done in the quiet, controlled environment - very different to the busy ED.

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether it is feasible to incorporate computerized cognitive testing into the ED management of children with concussion.

Methods: A prospective controlled cohort study. Setting: A busy tertiary referral paediatric ED. Participants: children aged 8-18 years with acute mTBI/concussion and age-matched orthopaedic controls. Feasibility assessment: 30- and 15-minute CCTs were assessed for feasibility using patient and family attitudes, injury variables, medical staff attitudes as well as environmental factors (i.e. space, noise, wait-times etc.).

Results: 74 children aged 12.7 (SD+/-2.2) years (male 54%) with mTBI were enrolled, and 28 orthopaedic controls aged 13 (SD+/-2.4). Impediment factors included noise, testing location, and extra-cranial injuries. Most were mitigated with changes in testing methodology. Participation rates then improved from 27% to 73%. Feasibility data will be presented.

Conclusions: Feasibility data are important when considering CCT in the paediatric ED. Our study, although highlighting the challenges to this novel procedure in an ED setting, suggests that computerized cognitve testing can be performed.