Validating a Short Conners CPT 3 as a Screener: Predicting Self-reported CDC Concussion Symptoms in Children, Adolescents, and Adults

Objective Brevity is critical to the broad adoption of any screening measure. We examine the efficacy of a short Conners Continuous Performance Test (CCPT 3) to screen for concussion symptoms. Method Data were from 20 U.S. sites, including university/schools conducting baseline testing (N = 817) and post-concussion assessments in medical settings (N = 108) from March 2018 to March 2020. Nine hundred twenty-five participants (57.3% female) aged 8-66 (M = 19.4, SD = 6.1) completed the computerized CCPT 3, Balance Error Scoring System, NIH 4-meter gait test, and 31-item Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) concussion symptom checklist. Results Short CCPT 3 scores correlate highly with full CCPT 3, with coefficients of .70-.96 (M = .88). Short CCPT 3 explains 16.8% variance in CDC concussion symptoms (F-(8,F- 910) = 23.01, p < .001; Cohen's d = .90) and provides incremental validity (15% variance; d = .78) over behavioral measures (F-change (8,F- 842) = 20.11, p < .001). Predictive validity of the short CCPT 3 was greater for those having a recent concussion (22.1% variance, d = 1.07; F-(8,F- 97) = 3.45, p= .002). Scores also predict concussion history. Conclusions The short CCPT 3 yields large effect sizes when predicting CDC concussion symptoms, compares favorably to other concussion measures, and shows no trade-off from the full CCPT, which has previously predicted concussion symptoms and severity. Short CCPT 3 scores can objectively quantify cognitive functioning to serve as a screener and inform return-to-play decisions even for post-acute presentations in children, adolescents, and adults.