A new study by Mass General Brigham and the Concussion Legacy Foundation introduces SHAAKE, a newly recognized concussion sign, potentially identifying up to a third of previously undiagnosed concussions. This development could significantly transform how sports concussions are diagnosed and managed.
In a revolutionary discovery, researchers at Mass General Brigham and the Concussion Legacy Foundation (CLF) unveiled a new diagnostic sign that could potentially identify up to 33% of previously undiagnosed concussions. The study signifies a pivotal moment in sports medicine and concussion management, providing a new tool to protect athletes from the dangerous repercussions of unrecognized brain injuries.
The discovery of Spontaneous Headshake After a Kinematic Event (SHAAKE), spearheaded by CLF CEO and co-founder Chris Nowinski, comes in light of longstanding gaps in concussion diagnosis. Although head-shaking behavior after an impact, often seen in popular media, has been evident for years, it had never been formally studied or recognized as a medical indicator until now.
“Sports and medical organizations should immediately add SHAAKE to their lists of potential concussion signs,” Nowinski said in a news release.
Highlighting SHAAKE’s compelling connection to diagnosed concussions, he underscores the simple yet profound implications of this finding.
“It’s an easy change, with no downside, that could prevent catastrophic outcomes and save careers,” he added.
The study, published in the journal Diagnostics, examined 347 current and former athletes, revealing that 72% reported concussions after exhibiting SHAAKE behavior. This percentage soared to 92% among football players. SHAAKE typically occurs within seconds to minutes after an impact, characterized by rapid lateral head movements lasting less than two seconds.
Dan Daneshvar, chief of brain injury rehabilitation at Spaulding Rehabilitation and Harvard Medical School, stresses SHAAKE’s diagnostic reliability.
“Based on our data, SHAAKE is a reliable signal that a concussion may have occurred, like an athlete clutching their head after contact, being slow to get up or losing their balance,” he said in the news release.
He advocates for the immediate removal and evaluation of athletes displaying SHAAKE for potential concussions.
This vital recognition of SHAAKE not only offers a new diagnostic criterion but also proposes an alternative intervention point that could substantially reduce the occurrence of compounded brain injuries.
A poignant example is Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s undiagnosed concussion on September 25, 2022, where he exhibited multiple SHAAKEs. Recognition of these signs could have altered his subsequent exposure and injury trajectory, highlighting the critical need for SHAAKE awareness.
In addition to uncovering the SHAAKE phenomenon, the study delved into the reported symptoms associated with the behavior.
The three most common reasons reported symptoms for exhibiting a SHAAKE were ‘disorientation or confusion’ (25%), ‘a feeling like you needed to jumpstart your brain’ (23%) and ‘changes to your perception of space or perception of your body in space’ (14%).
Other symptoms such as headache, dizziness and sensory changes were also frequently linked to concussion-related SHAAKE.
Given the compelling evidence, the research team urges immediate action from sports and medical organizations to incorporate SHAAKE into concussion protocols. Enhancing the awareness and training regarding this sign among coaches, medical professionals and concussion spotters could revolutionize the approach to concussion management.
This discovery marks a pivotal advancement in the fight against the silent epidemic of undiagnosed concussions, potentially preserving the health and careers of countless athletes. As prospective studies continue to validate these findings, the immediate inclusion of SHAAKE in diagnostic criteria could foster a new standard in sports safety, ensuring that signs of concussion no longer go unnoticed.