Factor structure of ImPACT® in adolescent student athletes

Abstract

Objective: ImPACT® (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is a computerized neuropsychological screening battery, which is widely used to measure the acute effects of sport-related concussion and to monitor recovery from injury. This study examined the factor structure of ImPACT® in several samples of high school student athletes. We hypothesized that a 2-factor structure would be present in all samples. Method: A sample of 4,809 adolescent student athletes was included, and subgroups with a history of treatment for headaches or a selfreported history of learning problems or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder were analyzed separately. Exploratory principal axis factor analyses with Promax rotations were used. Results: As hypothesized, both the combination of Verbal Memory and Visual Memory Composite scores loaded on one (Memory) factor, while Visual Motor Speed and Reaction Time loaded on a different (Speed) factor, in the total sample and in all subgroups. Conclusion: These results provide reasonably compelling evidence, across multiple samples, which ImPACT® measures 2 distinct factors: memory and speed.