COLUMBIA, MO (KY3) – New research is revealing to scientists that a patient who rapidly shakes his head back and forth after a traumatic impact probably has a concussion.

Researchers at the University of Missouri School of Medicine, Mass. General Brigham and the Concussion Legacy Foundation conducted the study that involved screening nearly 350 high school and college athletes.

The research showed a 93% prediction rate when it comes to a teenage football player displaying a head shake following a traumatic event. For other sports, the rate was slightly lower, but still definitive.

Scientists believe this new concussion sign could help identify up to 33 percent of undiagnosed concussions.

“After a blow to the head, individuals sometimes rapidly shake their head back and forth,” a news release about the research said. “Although it has been depicted in movies, television, and even cartoons for decades, this movement has never been studied, named, and does not appear on any medical or sports organization’s list of potential signs of concussion.”

Dr. Ross Zafonte, a brain injury specialist and executive vice dean of MU’s school of medicine, said it’s likely that involuntary head shaking is a secondary symptom to others that accompany a concussion.

“It could be visual,” Zafonte said. “(They) may be trying to stabilize their visual field. They might just be trying to release their sensorium or figure out where I am and what’s going on and that’s a natural thing for people to do.”

The study’s authors say its findings should be disseminated to medical boards and oversight entities so that team doctors can immediately begin monitoring this as research continues.

“Diagnosing concussions is challenging because many of the symptoms we look for develop over time as you watch the athlete on the sideline,” said Dr. BJ Schultz, sports medicine specialist at Compass Health Network. “Having that initial head movement is nice to improve your ears, but it requires someone to see the event when it’s happening.”

Zafonte said spectator sports are a convenient setting when it comes to observation. As parents, teachers, staff and other players become more aware of “head shaking” and other signs, it could help them spot signs of traumatic brain injury earlier in their development and speed up treatment.

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