The Aspetar Sport Related Concussion Programme is a comprehensive concussion management programme offering evidence-based concussion care for athletes in Qatar. Based on the latest Consensus statement on concussion in sport (the “Amsterdam consensus,” 2022), the programme includes a community-wide concussion awareness campaign, education of coaches and referees in the recognition of concussion and innovative medical care from field-side to specialist level.

Aspetar recognises the importance of proper concussion care to prevent serious complications such as second-impact syndrome, post-concussion syndrome and the possible association with the degenerative brain disease Traumatic Encephalopathy Syndrome (TES). Of equal importance is the effect of proper concussion management to reduce the risk of further injuries and to ensure the earliest possible return-to-play.

The programme is designed to fulfil the specific needs of Qatari athletes to prevent and manage concussion. The standardized Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6) and the Sports Concussion Office Assessment tool (SCOAT6) have been culturally adapted and translated into Arabic. The CNS-VS computerized neurocognitive programme is used to provide neurocognitive testing in the athlete’s preferred language, and Neuroflex computerised vestibulo-ocular assessment and rehabilitation tool is used for baseline and post-concussion assessments.

Prof Jon Patricios, an international authority on Sport Related Concussion, is the Aspetar Sport Concussion Programme’s expert consultant. Aspetar also collaborates with the Concussion in Sport Group (CiSG) who are the authors of the consensus statement and the SCAT tools, Flinders University in Australia, University of Pretoria in South Africa, and the University of Jordan in Jordan