The King Devick test has been proposed to aid in the assessment of concussions. The test has individuals perform a visual eye scan reading numbers on the card from left to right as quickly and accurately as possible. It has been shown that those who have sustained a concussion have a slower time (about 4-5 seconds) than their non-concussed counterparts. Proponents of the test are urging for its inclusion as part of the sideline examination for those with potential concussions.
There have been studies that assess the validity of the test and its sensitivity has been studied in boxing, where laypersons were able to determine who had concussion symptoms from using the test. Another study looked at the amount of information that it added to the current battery of tests being performed on the sideline or in a clinician’s office and found that it did not add any value.
The reason that it is gaining popularity among researchers and the media is the ease of use; have someone do the test to get a baseline and then retest them if there is concern for a head injury. The main question I have is what happens with that information? It does not appear that there are any guidelines on what disqualifies someone from activity. The studies have not been extensive enough where there is a clear line separating those with a concussion from those without one. In either case, the recommendation is still to perform a sideline evaluation on them and refer to a qualified medical professional for a diagnosis. While the test may hold promise for laypersons or parents to test their children, caution should definitely be urged against putting too much stock in it. In time, we may have standards recommending the utilization of the test in concussion assessment, but currently, there is not enough information to support its use in athletics.
http://www.sportsmedres.org/2015/03/king-devick-test-sideline-concussion-test.html
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