Smith, Aynsley M.

Abstract The brain vital signs framework is a portable, objective, neurophysiological evaluation of brain function at point-of-care. We investigated brain vital signs at pre- and post-season for age 14 or under (Bantam) and age 16–20 (Junior-A) male ice hockey players to (i) further investigate previously published brain vital sign results showing subconcussive cognitive deficits and (ii) validate these findings through comparison with head-impact data obtained from instrumented accelerometers. With a longitudinal study design, 23 male ice hockey players in Bantam (n = 13; age 13.63 ± 0.62) and Tier II Junior-A (n = 10; age 18.62 ± 0.86) divisions were assessed at pre- and post-season. None were diagnosed with a concussion during the season. Cognitive evoked potential measures of Auditory sensation (N100), Basic attention (P300) and Cognitive processing (N400) were analysed as changes in peak amplitudes and latencies (six standard scores total). A regression analysis examined the relationship between brain vital signs and the number of head impacts received during the study season. Significant pre/post differences in brain vital signs were detected for both groups. Bantam and Junior-A players also differed in number of head impacts (Bantam: 32.92 ± 17.68; Junior-A: 195.00 ± 61.08; P < 0.001). Importantly, the regression model demonstrated a significant linear relationship between changes in brain vital signs and total head impacts received (R = 0.799, P = 0.007), with clear differences between the Bantam and Junior-A groups. In the absence of a clinically diagnosed concussion, the brain vital sign changes appear to have demonstrated the compounding effects of repetitive subconcussive impacts. The findings underscored the importance of an objective physiological measure of brain function along the spectrum of concussive impacts.

Abstract The incidence of sport-related concussion coupled with a doubling of the participation rate in youth hockey over the past two decades provides impetus for the review of the most promising concussion treatment options. This narrative review summarizes the future treatment options for sport-related concussions in ice hockey, while acknowledging their generalizability to concussion in all sports. Symptom assessment, sign observation, as well as cognitive and balance testing, have historically been used to diagnose a concussion. These methods continue to improve, but the need for effective treatments is clear. Pharmacologic, transcranial light, and nutritional supplement treatment options for concussion warranting further investigation have been identified. Dimethyl fumarate is an immunomodulatory compound thought to trigger antioxidant gene expression. Memantine reduces apoptosis and astrogliosis by inhibiting the calcium influx into cells normally caused by glutamate's activation of N -methyl- d -aspartate receptors. Thioredoxin-mimetic peptides and transcranial photobiomodulation temper the effects of the energy crisis by acting as free radical scavengers. In addition, seven neuroprotective nutritional supplements have been identified: berberine, creatine, curcumin, melatonin, omega-3 fatty acids, resveratrol, and vitamins. An estimated US $1.1 billion has been spent on unsuccessful traumatic brain injury clinical trials. As our ability to accurately diagnose concussion improves, dimethyl fumarate, memantine, thioredoxin-mimetic peptides, transcranial photobiomodulation, and nutritional supplements (berberine, creatine, curcumin, melatonin, omega-3 fatty acids, resveratrol, and vitamins) warrant further preclinical and clinical examination in advancing the treatment of sport-related concussions.

Fair Play (FP) is a behavioral modification program originally created in Quebec, Canada, by Edmund Vaz when injuries, violence, aggressive infractions, and expense drastically decreased ice hockey registration numbers. He found that emphasizing sportsmanship had the potential to reduce dangerous plays. FP awards teams one additional point in the district standings after each game if the following criteria are met: (a) the team remained below the predetermined penalty minute threshold, (b) a coach was not assessed a game misconduct, and (c) none of the spectators were ejected from the arena. In collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, Minnesota Hockey adopted FP successfully in 2004. However, it was only applied to district games, accounting for just 36% of the games in a team's season. FP is currently a loosely recommended model in tournaments and plays no role in nondistrict games. In a study of two youth hockey tournaments, the tournament governed by intensified FP found significantly fewer head hits than the tournament without FP. Junior gold-level tournaments also experienced fewer injuries and concussions when using FP. Despite its established effectiveness, FP is underutilized by Minnesota Hockey. The Mayo Clinic Ice Hockey Research Team (MCIHRT) has therefore determined that FP requires a complete relaunch. The Minnesota Hockey board members, district leaders, and MCIHRT have agreed that increasing visibility and establishing universal application by Minnesota Hockey leadership are the most urgent needs. The MCIHRT action plan addressing shortcomings includes: (a) making a FP announcement before and after games; (b) publishing shortened, universal booklets solely regarding FP; (c) coordinating a distribution of new booklets to coaches, officials, and players/parents; and (d) creating webpages on all district and association sites including the rules of FP and access to the FP standings. Finally, creative ways to increase FP's power to favorably modify behavior will be solicited.

Hockey is known for speed, skill, hard hits, and fighting. The violence and aggression present in professional hockey contrasts greatly with the skill and finesse of international play. Aggressive behavior across all levels of hockey has devastating long-term consequences resulting from the high prevalence of head trauma. Retired National Hockey League (NHL) players attribute their cognitive difficulties to the repetitive concussive events sustained during their careers. Some retired professional players, such as Daniel Carcillo and Nick Boynton, claim they would trade their name on the Stanley Cup to have known about the long-term consequences of repetitive head trauma. Many retired professional players, such as Ken Dryden, believe the aggressive intent to injure in hockey is completely unnecessary. Junior A hockey is consistently accompanied by a high risk of head trauma. For example, a single Tier III Junior A team experienced thirteen concussions to ten players in one season. Of six players who perceived it “definitely true” that their role on the team was to be an aggressive, forceful, and physical player, four were objectively diagnosed with a concussion during the season. Hypothesized was that intrinsic psychological factors, such as perceived aggression and willingness to fight, and extrinsic factors, such as role modeling by NHL players and feeling pressured by others to fight, contribute to sustaining concussions in hockey. For example, players perceiving themselves as aggressive and physical are at greater risk of concussion than those who see themselves as finesse, skilled players.

Objectives: The Ice Hockey Summit III provided updated scientific evidence on concussions in hockey to inform these 5 objectives: (1) describe sport related concussion (SRC) epidemiology; (2) classify prevention strategies; (3) define objective, diagnostic tests; (4) identify treatment; and (5) integrate science and clinical care into prioritized action plans and policy. Methods: Our action plan evolved from 40 scientific presentations. The 155 attendees (physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, nurses, neuropsychologists, scientists, engineers, coaches, and officials) voted to prioritize these action items in the final Summit session. Results: To (1) establish a national and international hockey database for SRCs at all levels; (2) eliminate body checking in Bantam youth hockey games; (3) expand a behavior modification program (Fair Play) to all youth hockey levels; (4) enforce game ejection penalties for fighting in Junior A and professional hockey leagues; (5) establish objective tests to diagnose concussion at point of care; and (6) mandate baseline testing to improve concussion diagnosis for all age groups. Conclusions: Expedient implementation of the Summit III prioritized action items is necessary to reduce the risk, severity, and consequences of concussion in the sport of ice hockey.

The Ice Hockey Summit III provided updated scientific evidence on concussions in hockey to inform these five objectives: 1) describe sport-related concussion (SRC) epidemiology, 2) classify prevention strategies, 3) define objective, diagnostic tests, 4) identify treatment, and 5) integrate science and clinical care into prioritized action plans and policy. Our action plan evolved from 40 scientific presentations. The 155 attendees (physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, nurses, neuropsychologists, scientists, engineers, coaches, and officials) voted to prioritize these action items in the final Summit session. 1) Establish a national and international hockey data base for SRC at all levels, 2) eliminate body checking in Bantam youth hockey games, 3) expand a behavior modification program (Fair Play) to all youth hockey levels, 4) enforce game ejection penalties for fighting in Junior A and professional hockey leagues, 5) establish objective tests to diagnose concussion at point of care (POC), and 6) mandate baseline testing to improve concussion diagnosis for all age groups. Expedient implementation of the Summit III prioritized action items is necessary to reduce the risk, severity, and consequences of concussion in the sport of ice hockey.

Abstract Removing fighting from ice hockey is an essential concussion prevention strategy that will improve the safety of the game at all levels.

A cohort of 282 elite amateur ice hockey players were analyzed to 1) record the number, type, location, and severity of head, neck, and facial injuries sustained during games; 2) examine the relationship between injuries and the type of facial protection (none, partial, or full) according to individual playing time; and 3) determine whether full or partial facial protection is associated with an increased incidence of concussions, eye injuries, and neck injuries. Fifty-two injuries (158.9 per 1000 player-game hours) occurred in players wearing no facial protection, 45 (73.5 per 1000 player-game hours) in players wearing partial facial protection (half shield), and 16 (23.2 per 1000 player-game hours) in players wearing full facial protection (full cage or shield). Players wearing no protection were injured at a rate more than twice that of players wearing partial protection and almost seven times higher than those wearing full protection. Concussions occurred in four players wearing no protection, five players wearing partial protection, and two players wearing full protection; these differences were not significant. The risk of eye injury was 4.7 times greater for players wearing no protection compared with those wearing partial protection. No eye or neck injuries occurred in players wearing full protection. This study demonstrates that both full and partial facial protection significantly reduce injuries to the eye and face without increasing neck injuries and concussions.