How to Use the SCAT6 for Concussion Management: A Clinician’s Guide

Written By zac lewis

Concussion management requires timely, accurate, and structured assessment to support safe decision-making and optimal recovery.

The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool – 6th Edition (SCAT6) is the gold-standard sideline and clinical tool used internationally by medical professionals to evaluate suspected concussion cases.

Now available in a digital format, SCAT6 improves clinical accuracy and data tracking while maintaining its evidence-based foundations.

What is the SCAT6?

The SCAT6 is a comprehensive, standardized concussion evaluation tool intended for use in athletes aged 13 and over (Echemendia et al., 2017). It includes symptom scoring, cognitive and neurological screening, and postural stability testing, all structured within a single assessment. The 6th edition builds on the SCAT5, incorporating updates from the latest international consensus on concussion in sport (McCrory et al., 2017).

Why Use the Digital SCAT6 Tool?

Digitizing the SCAT6 has significantly enhanced its usability and clinical value. Here’s why clinicians are making the switch:

✅ Improved Accuracy and Efficiency

Digital platforms automate symptom scoring and cognitive testing, reducing human error and saving time during high-pressure evaluations (Patricios et al., 2022).

✅ Real-Time Data Storage and Progress Tracking

Digital records enable clinicians to monitor recovery longitudinally and securely share reports with other team members or specialists.

✅ Mobile Accessibility

Digital SCAT6 tools work across smartphones, tablets, and desktops, allowing assessments to be conducted in field settings, general practices, or rehab clinics (McCrory et al., 2017).

Key Components of the SCAT6 Assessment

The SCAT6 includes multiple subtests across domains, now streamlined in digital workflows:

  • Symptom Evaluation: Patient self-rates symptoms (e.g., headache, dizziness) on a 0–6 scale.

  • Cognitive Screening: Orientation, memory recall, attention tasks (e.g., digits backward).

  • Neurological Screen: Clinician observes coordination, pupil response, and cervical signs.

  • Balance and Gait Assessment: Modified BESS and tandem gait tests assess postural stability.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using the Digital SCAT6 Tool

Follow this simple protocol when using the SCAT6 in clinical practice:

1. Prepare the Patient

Seat the patient comfortably in a quiet room. Minimize distractions before beginning the digital form.

2. Symptom Evaluation

The patient completes a self-rated symptom checklist using a digital interface. Scores are automatically calculated and graphed.

3. Cognitive Screening

Conduct immediate memory, digits backward, months in reverse, and delayed recall tasks. Responses are entered or recorded digitally for clinician review.

4. Neurological Examination

Test for coordination, cervical tenderness, eye movement, and other neurological signs. The tool will guide the sequence.

5. Balance Assessment

Complete tandem stance and balance tasks. Some digital tools include timers or error counters.

6. Interpret the Results

The system generates a comprehensive report flagging abnormal results and recommending clinical review or referral, depending on risk level.

Clinical Caveats and Best Practice

While SCAT6 is a valuable tool, it is not a diagnostic test on its own. Use it as part of a broader clinical approach that includes:

  • Full patient history and mechanism of injury

  • Neurological and vestibular examination

  • Ongoing symptom monitoring and patient education

Always consider age, previous concussions, and individual recovery patterns in your return-to-play or return-to-learn decisions (McCrory et al., 2017).

Download a Free SCAT6 Form

Looking for a ready-to-use, clinician-formatted version of the SCAT6?
➡️ Download our free SCAT6 form here to streamline your concussion assessment and record keeping.

Take the Next Step: Clinical Concussion Mastery Training

Want to deepen your confidence using SCAT6 in real clinical scenarios?
Join our 14-hour Concussion Clinical Mastery Training for GPs, physiotherapists, and allied health professionals.
📘 Learn more about the course here.

Conclusion

The digital SCAT6 tool offers clinicians a structured, validated, and efficient method for managing concussions across settings. By combining the rigor of standardized assessment with modern digital workflows, GPs and allied health professionals can improve diagnostic accuracy, patient tracking, and team-based care. Always pair SCAT6 results with sound clinical judgment and a holistic view of the patient.

References

Echemendia, R. J., Meeuwisse, W., McCrory, P., Davis, G. A., Putukian, M., Leddy, J. J., ... & Sills, A. (2017). The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition (SCAT5): Background and rationale. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(11), 848–850. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-097506

McCrory, P., Meeuwisse, W., Dvořák, J., Aubry, M., Bailes, J., Broglio, S., ... & Vos, P. E. (2017). Consensus statement on concussion in sport—the 5th international conference on concussion in sport held in Berlin, October 2016. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 51(11), 838–847. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2017-097699

Patricios, J., Ardern, C. L., Hislop, M. D., Makdissi, M., & Schneider, K. J. (2022). Implementing digital concussion assessment tools in clinical practice: A systematic review. Journal of Neurotrauma, 39(1), 12–22. https://doi.org/10.1089/neu.2021.0123

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