What are the recommended assessment tools for diagnosing Post-Concussion Syndrome in adults?

There is no single definitive diagnostic tool recommended by NICE guidelines specifically for diagnosing Post-Concussion Syndrome (PCS) in adults; rather, diagnosis is clinical and based on a comprehensive assessment of symptoms following a head injury NICE NG232. The NICE guideline NG232 highlights that PCS symptoms include sensory and motor issues (headache, dizziness, nausea, visual disturbances, balance problems), cognitive difficulties (brain fog, memory problems, concentration issues), and other neurological signs, which should be carefully documented during assessment NICE NG232.

Validated symptom checklists and clinical screening tools are commonly used in practice to support diagnosis, although NICE does not specify a particular tool. Recent literature emphasizes the utility of vestibular and oculomotor screening tests, such as the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) tool, which assesses vestibular and visual-oculomotor impairments frequently seen in PCS Kontos et al. 2017. Additionally, visual assessment tools are important given the common visual symptoms post-concussion Fraser & Mobbs 2022.

Multidisciplinary concussion management recommendations suggest integrating clinical symptom inventories with objective vestibular and oculomotor testing to improve diagnostic accuracy and guide rehabilitation Louras et al. 2025. These approaches complement the NICE emphasis on thorough clinical evaluation and follow-up NICE NG232.

In summary, the recommended approach for diagnosing PCS in adults involves a detailed clinical history and symptom assessment supported by validated symptom scales and vestibular/oculomotor screening tools like VOMS, with multidisciplinary input to tailor management NICE NG232; Kontos et al. 2017; Fraser & Mobbs 2022; Louras et al. 2025.