Quick head shake could signal concussion in young athletes
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A new study published in the Diagnostics journal suggests that a brief head shake after a hard hit could be a sign of a concussion, as observed in young athletes. This gesture is an easily recognizable movement that may greatly decrease the number of undiagnosed concussions if incorporated into official evaluation protocols. Early recognition of such signs can lead to quicker diagnosis and treatment, potentially mitigating long-term health consequences associated with untreated brain injuries.
Source
Nowinski, C. J., Bureau, S. C., Rhim, H. C., Zafonte, R. D., Cantu, R. C., & Daneshvar, D. H. (2024). Spontaneous Headshake after a Kinematic Event (SHAAKE): Evaluating the Utility of a Potential New Sign in the Diagnosis of Concussion. Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland), 14(20), 2314. https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics14202314
Additional Reading
https://www.cnn.com/2024/10/23/health/head-shake-concussion-sign/index.html
https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/concussion-shaake-shaking-head-mass-general-brigham-health/