Head injuries: How to protect your brain when concussion strikes - Alice Theadom and Stacey Mowbray

Head injuries require careful recovery. Illustration / Richard Dale

Last week’s news promised us the answer to concussion: a quick scan, a yes/no, problem solved. If that sounds too good to be true, it is.

And we get it. People want certainty. We hear every day from New Zealanders who are worried about concussion: parents, players, teachers, coaches and grandparents all desperate for a test that can give them clarity. We understand the need for hope. That’s why we want to share the facts, because protecting people and supporting recovery is what matters most.

But the truth is, we’re not there yet.

Let’s clear up the hype. Some of the recent coverage made it sound like a concussion could now be detected in a quick two-minute scan using a new product called Nurocheck. In fact, Nurochek isn’t a brain scanner or a standalone concussion test – it’s a simplified EEG (electroencephalogram), a tool that’s been used for decades to measure brainwaves. Its “FDA clearance” only allows it to be marketed as an EEG device to assist clinicians as part of a wider concussion assessment, not to replace one. Crucially, there’s still no robust, peer-reviewed evidence showing it can reliably diagnose concussion.

It’s great to see so many companies out there trying to find ways that technology can help with concussion diagnosis and recovery tracking. We want people pushing the boundaries, trialling new tools, and exploring new ideas. But we also want honesty with the public. No device should be promoted as a concussion test until the science is solid. Otherwise, we risk doing more harm by saying someone is fine when they are not, or vice versa.

We have world-leading scientists here in NZ who can advise on where there is evidence for what works and what needs further testing. AUT’s Brain Health Research Institute is involved in independent testing of new technologies, so we know if we can trust the companies’ claims or not.

Here’s the bigger picture: concussion isn’t just about sport. In fact, the leading cause of concussion in New Zealand is falls, not tackles. It happens to young children, adults, and older people alike.

What really makes the difference in concussion recovery is what we do about it. Recognising the signs. Seeking medical support. Resting the brain for the first day or two. Learning ways to recognise symptom triggers and manage the impacts. Getting support from free concussion services if needed and giving recovery the time it deserves. These basics, done well, are currently far more effective than any gadget on the market.

That’s why education matters so much. At Headway, that’s our focus: giving people the knowledge and confidence to act when concussion happens. Because the right early response makes all the difference.

And yes, the dream of a quick, reliable test is still alive – and we believe one day it will exist. But when it does, it will come after years of careful, robust research that has been independently reviewed. When that day comes, you’ll hear us shouting it from the rooftops.

Until then, be careful when you hear claims that there is a magic answer and check what scientific evidence there is for it.

Here’s the message we wish more New Zealanders knew: concussion is common, it can happen to anyone, and the right early response makes all the difference. Let’s focus on the practical steps we can take today to protect the one brain we each get for life.

Professor Alice Theadom is director of the AUT Brain Health Research Institute and Stacey Mowbray is the CEO of Headway, a concussion and brain-injury charity.