World Rugby, in collaboration with Rugby Players Ireland (RPI), has initiated a fresh Brain Health Service. This service is targeted at former professional and international rugby players from the Sevens and 15s leagues, irrespective of gender, who may be experiencing brain and mental health issues. Uniquely, Ireland is the first nation globally to roll out this initiative, which is offered at no cost.
This service encompasses educational and awareness elements, along with an online survey and cognitive evaluation by a qualified brain health specialist. The practitioner can identify early signs of brain health challenges while also advising on risk management and referring participants in need to specialist care.
The service is backed financially by World Rugby. Ex-players interested in the programme are sent a digital survey link that typically takes between 25 and 30 minutes to finish. Then, they go through an online evaluation of multiple cognitive functions carried out by a brain health expert.
Veteran Ireland team medic and World Rugby’s chief physician, Professor Eanna Falvey, gave some insights regarding the testing procedure, saying that it broadly analyses cognition and executive functioning. Delayed recall tests, part of routine concussion checks, are also included, but the procedure has a wider scope, laying significant emphasis on mental health with both ex-players and their General Practitioners (GPs) being involved.
Falvey stressed the importance of recognising modifiable factors related to health and lifestyle. After a player completes the report, they receive a single-use access code. The GP is given this access code and the related information; they can then review the report during a consultation with the player. Other potential issues that the test may flag include sleep patterns, alcohol consumption, exercise habits, smoking, or blood checks that require further examination.
The cognitive tests are graded as green, amber or red. The analysis doesn’t only rely on the software metrics, as a clinical psychologist also reviews each test together with the software results. The role of the Brain Health Practitioner is to conduct the test, not to make the analysis.
The advantage of being entirely digital is that the person conducting assessments for us, who is based in Australia, can provide immediate assistance and evaluate for us. As our numbers grow, so will this flexibility. Our trial run is taking place here, with Australia slated for next week.
In rugby, we aim to implement this program at the Under-20 World Championships, introducing it to players at the beginning of their careers. We will then continue to monitor their progress on a quinquennial basis, and even after their career ends.
Marcus Horan, former Munster and Ireland international, who is now a player development manager at RPI, stated that retirees using the service are required to supply the contact information of a physician and a partner to facilitate communication and support if required.
He added that having a team member monitor engagement shows who is actively participating. Initial red flags detected through the questionnaire can then be discussed with the physician and our in-house specialists.
He said, “Knowing how to reach everyone in our group can be challenging, especially those who began their careers before the digital age. The prospect of a deluge of enquiries is unknown, but this endeavor will certainly raise awareness.”
Leinster and Ireland’s recently retired Devin Toner, reported that he had undergone the consultation process two weeks ago. Describing it as a 30-minute video call centered on brain function, memory, and fluency, he found it surprisingly taxing despite the seeming simplicity of these tests.
He said, “You end up exhausted, but it has its benefits. It’s all about establishing benchmarks that you can refer to in two or five years’ time. Even my wife was asked to take part to ensure the accuracy of my responses.”
Lynne Cantwell, Ireland’s most experienced female international and currently the high-performance manager for women’s rugby in South Africa, praised the inclusiveness of this initiative. She highlighted the importance of all former female players to participate actively, stressing the importance of education and maintaining good health. She believes that while education can alleviate fears, any unusual findings can prompt them to seek expert advice.
The lack of diagnostic and medical assistance available to women has been an issue. However, there are now reliable tools, screenings, and aid in place, which indeed is a highly optimistic progress.