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Cade A, Turnbull PRK. Classification of short and long term mild traumatic brain injury using computerized eye tracking. Sci Rep 2024; 14:12686. [PMID: 38830966 PMCID: PMC11148176 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63540-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Accurate, and objective diagnosis of brain injury remains challenging. This study evaluated useability and reliability of computerized eye-tracker assessments (CEAs) designed to assess oculomotor function, visual attention/processing, and selective attention in recent mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), persistent post-concussion syndrome (PPCS), and controls. Tests included egocentric localisation, fixation-stability, smooth-pursuit, saccades, Stroop, and the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR). Thirty-five healthy adults performed the CEA battery twice to assess useability and test-retest reliability. In separate experiments, CEA data from 55 healthy, 20 mTBI, and 40 PPCS adults were used to train a machine learning model to categorize participants into control, mTBI, or PPCS classes. Intraclass correlation coefficients demonstrated moderate (ICC > .50) to excellent (ICC > .98) reliability (p < .05) and satisfactory CEA compliance. Machine learning modelling categorizing participants into groups of control, mTBI, and PPCS performed reasonably (balanced accuracy control: 0.83, mTBI: 0.66, and PPCS: 0.76, AUC-ROC: 0.82). Key outcomes were the VOR (gaze stability), fixation (vertical error), and pursuit (total error, vertical gain, and number of saccades). The CEA battery was reliable and able to differentiate healthy, mTBI, and PPCS patients reasonably well. While promising, the diagnostic model accuracy should be improved with a larger training dataset before use in clinical environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Cade
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.
- New Zealand College of Chiropractic, Auckland, New Zealand.
| | - Philip R K Turnbull
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
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Uyeno C, Zhang R, Cornwell J, Teramoto M, Boo M, Lumba-Brown A. Acute Eye-Tracking Changes Correlated With Vestibular Symptom Provocation Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Clin J Sport Med 2024:00042752-990000000-00187. [PMID: 38702871 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000001223] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To quantify norms and changes in eye-tracking proficiency, and determine vestibular symptom correlations in varsity college athletes following acute mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). We hypothesized that mTBI impacts central coordination between the vestibular and oculomotor systems with resultant changes in eye-tracking proficiency that are correlated with vestibular symptom provocation. DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING Sports medicine care at a single institution. PATIENTS One hundred and nineteen college athletes diagnosed with mTBI by a physician between 2013 and 2019. INTERVENTIONS N/A. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Standard deviation of tangential error, standard deviation of radian error, mean phase error, and horizontal gain from virtual reality-based, circular eye-tracking goggles used at baseline and within 72 hours post-mTBI. Headache, dizziness, nausea, and fogginess provocation after the Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) smooth pursuits subtest compared with pretest baseline, assessed within 72 hours post-mTBI. RESULTS One hundred and nineteen college athletes (N = 56 women and 63 men) aged 18 to 24 years sustained a total of 177 mTBI. Forty-four percent of athletes displayed abnormal eye-tracking on at least 1 eye-tracking measure following acute mTBI compared with their baseline. From the VOMS, horizontal gain showed medium-sized to large-sized positive correlations with headache ( r = 0.34) and dizziness ( r = 0.54), respectively. Mean phase error showed a medium-sized negative correlation with nausea ( r = -0.32) on the VOMS. CONCLUSIONS Eye-tracking proficiency was impaired and correlated with vestibular symptom provocation following acute mTBI in college athletes. Future research should examine eye-tracking proficiency testing in other acute care settings to support mTBI diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rachel Zhang
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
| | - Jordan Cornwell
- Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine, Pasadena, California
| | - Masaru Teramoto
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah; and
| | - Marie Boo
- Department of Health & Performance, San Jose Earthquakes, San Jose, California
| | - Angela Lumba-Brown
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, California
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Brooks JS, Dickey JP. Effect of Repetitive Head Impacts on Saccade Performance in Canadian University Football Players. Clin J Sport Med 2024; 34:280-287. [PMID: 38150378 PMCID: PMC11042529 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000001202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Investigate the effect of cumulative head impacts on saccade latency and errors, measured across two successive football seasons. DESIGN Participants were acquired from a sample of convenience-one Canadian university football team. Head impacts were collected during training camp, practices, eight regular season games, and four playoff games in each season. Saccade measurements were collected at five time points-before and after training camp, at midseason, after regular season, and after playoffs. SETTING Two seasons following players from a single USports football team during practices and games. PARTICIPANTS Players who completed a baseline saccade measurement and a minimum of one follow-up measurement were included in the study. A total of 127 players were monitored across two competitive seasons, including 61 players who participated in both seasons. INDEPENDENT VARIABLES Head impact measurements were collected using helmet-mounted sensors. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Saccade latency and number of errors were measured using high-speed video or electro-oculography. RESULTS On average, each head impact increased prosaccade latency by 5.16 × 10 -3 ms (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.26 × 10 -4 -1.00 × 10 -2 , P = 0.03) and antisaccade latency by 5.74 × 10 -3 ms (95% CI, 7.18 × 10 -4 -1.06 × 10 -2 , P = 0.02). These latency increases did not decrease between the two seasons; in fact, prosaccade latencies were 23.20 ms longer (95% CI, 19.40-27.14, P < 0.001) at the second season's baseline measurement than the first. The number of saccade errors was not affected by cumulative head impacts. CONCLUSIONS Repetitive head impacts in Canadian university football result in cumulative declines in brain function as measured by saccade performance. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Football organizations should consider implementing policies focused on reducing head impacts to improve player safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeffrey S. Brooks
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Western University, London, ON, Canada; and
| | - James P. Dickey
- School of Kinesiology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- School of Biomedical Engineering, Western University, London, ON, Canada
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Kim NI, Chen J, Wang W, Kim JY, Kwon MK, Moradnia M, Pouladi S, Ryou JH. Skin-Attached Arrayed Piezoelectric Sensors for Continuous and Safe Monitoring of Oculomotor Movements. Adv Healthc Mater 2024:e2303581. [PMID: 38386698 DOI: 10.1002/adhm.202303581] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Abnormal oculomotor movements are known to be linked to various types of brain disorders, physical/mental shocks to the brain, and other neurological disorders, hence its monitoring can be developed into a simple but effective diagnostic tool. To overcome the limitations in the current eye-tracking system and electrooculography, a piezoelectric arrayed sensor system is developed using single-crystalline III-N thin-film transducers, which offers advantages of mechanical flexibility, biocompatibility, and high electromechanical conversion, for continuous monitoring of oculomotor movements by skin-attachable, safe, and highly sensitive sensors. The flexible piezoelectric eye movement sensor array (F-PEMSA), consisting of three transducers, is attached to the face temple area where it can be comfortably wearable and can detect the muscles' activity associated with the eye motions. Output voltages from upper, mid, and lower sensors (transducers) on different temple areas generate discernable patterns of output voltage signals with different combinations of positive/negative signs and their relative magnitudes for the various movements of eyeballs including 8 directional (lateral, vertical, and diagonal) and two rotational movements, which enable various types of saccade and pursuit tests. The F-PEMSA can be used in clinical studies on the brain-eye relationship to evaluate the functional integrity of multiple brain systems and cognitive processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nam-In Kim
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-2004, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
- Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
- Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH (TcSUH), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-2004, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
- Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
- Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH (TcSUH), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Weijie Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-2004, USA
- Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
- Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH (TcSUH), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Ja-Yeon Kim
- Korea Photonics Technology Institute (KOPTI), Gwangju, 61007, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Ki Kwon
- Department of Photonic Engineering, Chosun University, Gwangju, 61452, Republic of Korea
| | - Mina Moradnia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-2004, USA
- Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
- Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH (TcSUH), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Sara Pouladi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-2004, USA
- Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
- Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH (TcSUH), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
| | - Jae-Hyun Ryou
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204-2004, USA
- Materials Science and Engineering Program, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
- Advanced Manufacturing Institute (AMI), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
- Texas Center for Superconductivity at UH (TcSUH), University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX, 77204, USA
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Song A, Gabriel R, Mohiuddin O, Whitaker D, Wisely CE, Kim T. Automated Eye Tracking Enables Saccade Performance Evaluation of Patients with Concussion History. Optom Vis Sci 2023; 100:855-860. [PMID: 38033013 DOI: 10.1097/opx.0000000000002090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2023] Open
Abstract
SIGNIFICANCE Automated eye tracking could be used to evaluate saccade performance of patients with concussion history, providing quantitative insights about the degree of oculomotor impairment and potential vision rehabilitation strategies for this patient population. PURPOSE To evaluate the saccade performance of patients with concussion history based on automated eye-tracking test results. METHODS We conducted a retrospective study of patients with concussion history, primarily from sports participation, who underwent oculomotor testing based on an eye-tracking technology at the Duke Eye Center vision rehabilitation clinic between June 30, 2017, and January 10, 2022. Patients' saccade test results were reviewed, including saccade fixation and saccade speed/accuracy ratio. The outcomes were compared with age-matched normative population data derived from healthy individuals. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify factors associated with saccade performance among patients with concussion history. RESULTS On hundred fifteen patients with concussion history were included in the study. Patients with concussion, on average, had fewer fixations on self-paced horizontal and vertical saccade tests and lower horizontal and vertical saccade speed/accuracy ratios compared with normative ranges. Among patients with concussion history, multiple linear regression analyses showed that older age was associated with fewer fixations on horizontal and vertical saccade tests, whereas male sex was associated with more fixations on horizontal and vertical saccade tests (all P < .01). In addition, older age was associated with lower horizontal saccade speed/accuracy ratio, after adjusting for sex, number of concussion(s), and time from most recent concussion to oculomotor testing ( P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Patients with concussion history had lower saccade performance based on eye tracking compared with healthy individuals. We additionally identified risk factors for lower saccade performance among patients with concussion history. These findings support the use of saccade test results as biomarkers for concussion and have implications for post-concussion rehabilitation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ailin Song
- Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Rami Gabriel
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Omar Mohiuddin
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Diane Whitaker
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | | | - Terry Kim
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
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Treleaven D, Lamontagne A, Grilli L, Friedman D, Gagnon I. Altered Oculomotor and Vestibulo-ocular Function in Children and Adolescents Postconcussion. J Head Trauma Rehabil 2023:00001199-990000000-00114. [PMID: 37862137 DOI: 10.1097/htr.0000000000000898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To document (1) oculomotor (OM) and vestibulo-ocular (VO) function in children with concussion who were symptomatic at the time of assessment and to compare it with that in children with concussion who were clinically recovered (asymptomatic) and in children with no concussive injury, and (2) the extent to which OM and VO function relates to postconcussion symptom severity in injured children. SETTING Participants were recruited from a concussion clinic or the community. PARTICIPANTS A total of 108 youth with concussion (72 symptomatic; 36 recovered) and 79 healthy youth (aged 9-18 years). Youth with concussion were included if aged 9 to 18 years, had no previous concussion within the last 12 months, less than 90 days since injury, and no known existing visual disorders or learning disabilities. STUDY DESIGN A prospective cross-sectional study. MAIN MEASURES All participants were tested for OM and VO function with a commercial virtual reality (VR) eye-tracking system (Neuroflex®, Montreal,Québec, Canada). Participants in the concussion group who completed the postconcussion symptoms were scored with the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory. RESULTS There was a significant group effect for vergence during smooth pursuit (F2,176 = 10.90; P < .05), mean latency during saccades (F2,171 = 5.99; P = .003), and mean response delay during antisaccades (F2,177 = 9.07; P < .05), where children with symptomatic concussion showed poorer performance than clinically recovered and healthy children. Similar results were found in VO for average vestibular ocular reflex gain in the horizontal leftward (F2,168 = 7; P = .001) and rightward directions (F2,163 = 13.08; P < .05) and vertical upward (F2,147 = 7.60; P = .001) and downward directions (F2,144 = 13.70; P < .05). Mean saccade error was positively correlated to total Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory scores in younger clinically recovered children. CONCLUSION VR eye tracking may be an effective tool for identifying OM and VO deficits in the subacute phase (<90 days) postconcussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dakota Treleaven
- Integrated Program in Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada (Ms Treleaven); School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, McGill University, Montreal, Québec, Canada (Dr Lamontagne); Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital-CISSS Laval site, Centre de Recherche Interdisciplinaire en Réadaptation du Montréal Métropolitain (CRIR), Montréal, Québec, Canada (Dr Lamontagne); Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Québec, Canada (Mss Grilli and Friedman); and School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Trauma Center, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Québec, Canada (Dr Gagnon)
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Anderson ED, Talukdar T, Goodwin G, Di Pietro V, Yakoub KM, Zwilling CE, Davies D, Belli A, Barbey AK. Assessing blood oxygen level-dependent signal variability as a biomarker of brain injury in sport-related concussion. Brain Commun 2023; 5:fcad215. [PMID: 37649639 PMCID: PMC10465085 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcad215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury is a complex neurological disorder of significant concern among athletes who play contact sports. Athletes who sustain sport-related concussion typically undergo physical examination and neurocognitive evaluation to determine injury severity and return-to-play status. However, traumatic disruption to neurometabolic processes can occur with minimal detectable anatomic pathology or neurocognitive alteration, increasing the risk that athletes may be cleared for return-to-play during a vulnerable period and receive a repetitive injury. This underscores the need for sensitive functional neuroimaging methods to detect altered cerebral physiology in concussed athletes. The present study compared the efficacy of Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing composite scores and whole-brain measures of blood oxygen level-dependent signal variability for classifying concussion status and predicting concussion symptomatology in healthy, concussed and repetitively concussed athletes, assessing blood oxygen level-dependent signal variability as a potential diagnostic tool for characterizing functional alterations to cerebral physiology and assisting in the detection of sport-related concussion. We observed significant differences in regional blood oxygen level-dependent signal variability measures for concussed athletes but did not observe significant differences in Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing scores of concussed athletes. We further demonstrate that incorporating measures of functional brain alteration alongside Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing scores enhances the sensitivity and specificity of supervised random forest machine learning methods when classifying and predicting concussion status and post-concussion symptoms, suggesting that alterations to cerebrovascular status characterize unique variance that may aid in the detection of sport-related concussion and repetitive mild traumatic brain injury. These results indicate that altered blood oxygen level-dependent variability holds promise as a novel neurobiological marker for detecting alterations in cerebral perfusion and neuronal functioning in sport-related concussion, motivating future research to establish and validate clinical assessment protocols that can incorporate advanced neuroimaging methods to characterize altered cerebral physiology following mild traumatic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan D Anderson
- Decision Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433, USA
| | - Tanveer Talukdar
- Decision Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - Grace Goodwin
- Decision Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, NV 89557, USA
| | - Valentina Di Pietro
- Decision Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Neurotrauma and Ophthalmology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
| | - Kamal M Yakoub
- Neurotrauma and Ophthalmology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
| | - Christopher E Zwilling
- Decision Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
| | - David Davies
- Neurotrauma and Ophthalmology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
| | - Antonio Belli
- Neurotrauma and Ophthalmology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
- NIHR Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham B15 2TH, UK
| | - Aron K Barbey
- Decision Neuroscience Laboratory, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Psychology, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Urbana, IL 61801, USA
- Center for Brain, Biology, and Behavior, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, NE 68588, USA
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Bell CA, Grossman SN, Balcer LJ, Galetta SL. Vision as a piece of the head trauma puzzle. Eye (Lond) 2023; 37:2385-2390. [PMID: 36801966 PMCID: PMC10397310 DOI: 10.1038/s41433-023-02437-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Approximately half of the brain's circuits are involved in vision and control of eye movements. Therefore, visual dysfunction is a common symptom of concussion, the mildest form of traumatic brain injury (TBI). Photosensitivity, vergence dysfunction, saccadic abnormalities, and distortions in visual perception have been reported as vision-related symptoms following concussion. Impaired visual function has also been reported in populations with a lifetime history of TBI. Consequently, vision-based tools have been developed to detect and diagnose concussion in the acute setting, and characterize visual and cognitive function in those with a lifetime history of TBI. Rapid automatized naming (RAN) tasks have provided widely accessible and quantitative measures of visual-cognitive function. Laboratory-based eye tracking approaches demonstrate promise in measuring visual function and validating results from RAN tasks in patients with concussion. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has detected neurodegeneration in patients with Alzheimer's disease and multiple sclerosis and may provide critical insight into chronic conditions related to TBI, such as traumatic encephalopathy syndrome. Here, we review the literature and discuss the future directions of vision-based assessments of concussion and conditions related to TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carter A Bell
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Scott N Grossman
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Laura J Balcer
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Steven L Galetta
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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Faulkner JW, Theadom A, Snell DL, Williams MN. Network analysis applied to post-concussion symptoms in two mild traumatic brain injury samples. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1226367. [PMID: 37545717 PMCID: PMC10398392 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1226367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective A latent disease explanation cannot exclusively explain post-concussion symptoms after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Network analysis offers an alternative form of explanation for relationships between symptoms. The study aimed to apply network analysis to post-concussion symptoms in two different mTBI cohorts; an acute treatment-seeking sample and a sample 10 years post-mTBI. Method The treatment-seeking sample (n = 258) were on average 6 weeks post-injury; the 10 year post mTBI sample (n = 193) was derived from a population-based incidence and outcomes study (BIONIC). Network analysis was completed on post-concussion symptoms measured using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire. Results In the treatment-seeking sample, frustration, blurred vision, and concentration difficulties were central to the network. These symptoms remained central in the 10 year post mTBI sample. A Network Comparison Test revealed evidence of a difference in network structure across the two samples (p = 0.045). However, the only symptoms that showed significant differences in strength centrality across samples were irritability and restlessness. Conclusion The current findings suggest that frustration, blurred vision and concentration difficulties may have an influential role in the experience and maintenance of post-concussion symptoms. The impact of these symptoms may remain stable over time. Targeting and prioritising the management of these symptoms may be beneficial for mTBI rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josh W. Faulkner
- Te Herenga Waka – Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Alice Theadom
- TBI Network, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand
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Hungerford L, Agtarap S, Ettenhofer M. Impact of depression and post-traumatic stress on manual and oculomotor performance in service members with a history of mild TBI. Brain Inj 2023; 37:680-688. [PMID: 37204183 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2023.2210293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the impact of depression and post-traumatic stress on an automated oculomotor and manual measure of visual attention, compared to conventional neuropsychological assessment. Setting: Military traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation program. PARTICIPANTS 188 Active Duty Service Members (ADSM) with a history of mild TBI. DESIGN A cross-sectional and correlational study with data obtained through an IRB-approved data registry study. Main measures: Bethesda Eye & Attention Measure (BEAM); brief neuropsychological battery; self-reported symptom surveys including Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI), Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8), and PTSD Checklist-5 (PCL-5). RESULTS Small effect sizes were found for partial correlations between both depression and post-traumatic stress and key BEAM metrics. In contrast, small-to-medium effects sizes were found across all traditional neuropsychological test measures. CONCLUSION This study illustrates the profile of impairments associated with depression and post-traumatic stress on saccadic eye movements and manual responses to BEAM relative to conventional neuropsychological tests. Results demonstrated that among ADSM seen for mTBI, depression and PTS exert a significant negative impact on measures of processing speed, attention, executive function, and memory across saccadic, manual, and conventional neuropsychological tests. However, the unique psychometric features of each of these assessment approaches may assist in distinguishing the effects of psychiatric comorbidities within this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars Hungerford
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence TBICoE, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Clinical Support Services, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
| | - Stephanie Agtarap
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence TBICoE, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Clinical Support Services, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Falls Church, VA, USA
- Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience, Craig Hospital, Englewood, Colorado, USA
| | - Mark Ettenhofer
- Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence TBICoE, Bethesda, MD, USA
- Department of Clinical Support Services, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA, USA
- General Dynamics Information Technology, Falls Church, VA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego,CA, USA
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Afshangian F, Rahimi Jaberi A, Wellington J, Ahmed Kamel Amer S, Chaurasia B, khanzadeh S, Safari H, Freddi T, Soltani A, Pipek L, Zimelewicz Oberman D, Resid Onen M, Akgul E, Montemurro N, Hajebi Khaniki S, Pashmforoosh R. Eye movement in reading and linguistic processing among bilingualism in oculomotor apraxia in patients with aphasia. BRITISH JOURNAL OF VISUAL IMPAIRMENT 2023. [DOI: 10.1177/02646196221145378] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023]
Abstract
The present study compared linguistic processes and eye movement among individuals diagnosed with oculomotor apraxia (OMA) and the influence of bilingualism on OMA. Four patients consisting of one male and three females were diagnosed with OMA, and a group of four healthy individuals, comprising two males and two females who were all right-hand dominant. Also, a group of four stroke patients without ocular apraxia. Findings show that pointing skills in both the first (L1) and second language (L2) have increased, demonstrating statistical significance ( P-value < .001 and P-value = .02, respectively). Also, simple commands over time have increased in L1 and L2, showing statistical significance ( P-value < .01 and P-value < .01, respectively). Naming skills in L1 have increased over time, demonstrating statistical insignificance ( P-value < .01). However, in L2, no statistically significant change was observed ( P-value = .08). This skill in L1 in patients with OMA was significantly reduced compared to the healthy control group ( P-value = .03). Still, patients with OMA showed no statistically significant difference from their healthy counterparts ( P-value = .15). The orthographic ability of patients in L1 during the study period did not statistically change significantly ( P-value = .11). This skill level in L1 between patients with OMA and the healthy control group did not show a statistically significant difference ( P-value = .06). Still, there was a statistically significant change in the healthy control group in L2 ( P-value < .01). These findings suggest that the bilingual does not reflect a general executive in attentional guidance but could reflect more efficient guidance only under specific tasks.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Hosien Safari
- Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Iran
| | - Tomas Freddi
- Sao Paulo University of Medical Sciences, Brazil
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12
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Aron A, Harper B, Andrews R, Boggs E, Stanley A. The Effect of Whole-Body Fatigue on King-Devick Test and Balance. RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT 2022; 93:788-794. [PMID: 34727010 DOI: 10.1080/02701367.2021.1921103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2020] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Purpose: Fatigue may mimic suboptimal brain functioning seen after a concussion and lead to false-positive King-Devick (K-D) scores and decreased balance. The purpose of this study was to investigate if whole-body fatigue has an effect on K-D scores or postural sway. Method: A total of 38 healthy participants (20 females; age = 23.5 ± 2.63 y; height = 170 ± 0.1 cm; mass = 75.2 ± 10.3 kg) volunteered for the study. Participants completed the King-Devick (K-D) test and the modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction of Balance (mCTSIB) on the Biodex BioSwayTM Portable Balance System prior to and immediately following the completion of a fatigue protocol on a Concept2 Rower. Results: Half of the participants demonstrated a positive K-D test post-fatigue. Balance scores were poorer post-fatigue. No difference was found between participants based on history of concussion. Among the participants that had a positive post-fatigue K-D test, 71% had also a worse composite sway index score (χ2 = 6.3, p = .02). Conclusions: Whole-body fatigue may negatively impact a person's ability to perform the K-D test and balance assessments. It is recommended that the athlete is allowed a period of time to accommodate for the acute effects of fatigue before administering these assessments following a suspected concussion.
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13
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Bell CA, Rice L, Balcer MJ, Pearson R, Penning B, Alexander A, Roskelly J, Nogle S, Tomczyk CP, Tracey AJ, Loftin MC, Pollard-McGrandy AM, Zynda AJ, Covassin T, Park G, Rizzo JR, Hudson T, Rucker JC, Galetta SL, Balcer L, Kaufman DI, Grossman SN. MICK (Mobile Integrated Cognitive Kit) app: Feasibility of an accessible tablet-based rapid picture and number naming task for concussion assessment in a division 1 college football cohort. J Neurol Sci 2022; 442:120445. [PMID: 36208585 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
Although visual symptoms are common following concussion, quantitative measures of visual function are missing from concussion evaluation protocols on the athletic sideline. For the past half century, rapid automatized naming (RAN) tasks have demonstrated promise as quantitative neuro-visual assessment tools in the setting of head trauma and other disorders but have been previously limited in accessibility and scalability. The Mobile Interactive Cognitive Kit (MICK) App is a digital RAN test that can be downloaded on most mobile devices and can therefore provide a quantitative measure of visual function anywhere, including the athletic sideline. This investigation examined the feasibility of MICK App administration in a cohort of Division 1 college football players. Participants (n = 82) from a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 football team underwent baseline testing on the MICK app. Total completion times of RAN tests on the MICK app were recorded; magnitudes of best time scores and between-trial learning effects were determined by paired t-test. Consistent with most timed performance measures, there were significant learning effects between the two baseline trials for both RAN tasks on the MICK app: Mobile Universal Lexicon Evaluation System (MULES) (p < 0.001, paired t-test, mean improvement 13.3 s) and the Staggered Uneven Number (SUN) (p < 0.001, mean improvement 3.3 s). This study demonstrated that the MICK App can be feasibly administered in the setting of pre-season baseline testing in a Division I environment. These data provide a foundation for post-injury sideline testing that will include comparison to baseline in the setting of concussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carter A Bell
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Lionel Rice
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Sally Nogle
- Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - George Park
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - John-Ross Rizzo
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Todd Hudson
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Janet C Rucker
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Steven L Galetta
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Laura Balcer
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA; Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
| | | | - Scott N Grossman
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.
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14
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On the Use of Eye Movements in Symptom Validity Assessment of Feigned Schizophrenia. PSYCHOLOGICAL INJURY & LAW 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12207-022-09462-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/14/2022]
Abstract
AbstractAssessing the credibility of reported mental health problems is critical in a variety of assessment situations, particularly in forensic contexts. Previous research has examined how the assessment of performance validity can be improved through the use of bio-behavioral measures (e.g., eye movements). To date, however, there is a paucity of literature on the use of eye tracking technology in assessing the validity of presented symptoms of schizophrenia, a disorder that is known to be associated with oculomotor abnormalities. Thus, we collected eye tracking data from 83 healthy individuals during the completion of the Inventory of Problems – 29 and investigated whether the oculomotor behavior of participants instructed to feign schizophrenia would differ from those of control participants asked to respond honestly. Results showed that feigners had a longer dwell time and a greater number of fixations in the feigning-keyed response options, regardless of whether they eventually endorsed those options (d > 0.80). Implications on how eye tracking technology can deepen comprehension on simulation strategies are discussed, as well as the potential of investigating eye movements to advance the field of symptom validity assessment.
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15
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Sarwer DB, Siminoff LA, Gardiner HM, Spitzer JC. The psychosocial burden of visible disfigurement following traumatic injury. Front Psychol 2022; 13:979574. [PMID: 36110275 PMCID: PMC9468754 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.979574] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Hundreds of thousands of individuals experience traumatic injuries each year. Some are mild to moderate in nature and patients experience full functional recovery and little change to their physical appearance. Others result in enduring, if not permanent, changes in physical functioning and appearance. Reconstructive plastic surgical procedures are viable treatments options for many patients who have experienced the spectrum of traumatic injuries. The goal of these procedures is to restore physical functioning and reduce the psychosocial burden of living with an appearance that may be viewed negatively by the patient or by others. Even after receipt of reconstructive procedures, many patients are left with residual disfigurement. In some, disability and disfigurement may be so profound that individuals are candidates for vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) procedures, i.e., the transplantation of a vascularized human body part containing multiple tissue types (skin, muscle, bone, nerves, and blood vessels) as an anatomical and/or structural unit. This narrative review paper summarizes the literature on the psychosocial burden experienced by those who have visible disfigurement. While many of these individuals experience stigma and discrimination, relatively few studies have employed a stigma framework to understand the psychosocial sequelea. This paper briefly addresses this framework. Last, particular focus is given to the psychosocial issues of individuals with particularly severe injuries who are potential candidates for VCA procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- David B. Sarwer
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
- *Correspondence: David B. Sarwer,
| | - Laura A. Siminoff
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Heather M. Gardiner
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, College of Public Health, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, United States
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16
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McDonald MA, Tayebi M, McGeown JP, Kwon EE, Holdsworth SJ, Danesh-Meyer HV. A window into eye movement dysfunction following mTBI: A scoping review of magnetic resonance imaging and eye tracking findings. Brain Behav 2022; 12:e2714. [PMID: 35861623 PMCID: PMC9392543 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.2714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly known as concussion, is a complex neurobehavioral phenomenon affecting six in 1000 people globally each year. Symptoms last between days and years as microstructural damage to axons and neurometabolic changes result in brain network disruption. There is no clinically available objective biomarker to diagnose the severity of injury or monitor recovery. However, emerging evidence suggests eye movement dysfunction (e.g., saccades and smooth pursuits) in patients with mTBI. Patients with a higher symptom burden and prolonged recovery time following injury may show higher degrees of eye movement dysfunction. Likewise, recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have revealed both white matter tract damage and functional network alterations in mTBI patients, which involve areas responsible for the ocular motor control. This scoping review is presented in three sections: Section 1 explores the anatomical control of eye movements to aid the reader with interpreting the discussion in subsequent sections. Section 2 examines the relationship between abnormal MRI findings and eye tracking after mTBI based on the available evidence. Finally, Section 3 communicates gaps in our knowledge about MRI and eye tracking, which should be addressed in order to substantiate this emerging field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A McDonald
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Mātai Medical Research Institute, Gisborne, New Zealand
| | - Maryam Tayebi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Joshua P McGeown
- Mātai Medical Research Institute, Gisborne, New Zealand.,Auckland University of Technology Traumatic Brain Injury Network, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Eryn E Kwon
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Mātai Medical Research Institute, Gisborne, New Zealand.,Auckland Bioengineering Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Samantha J Holdsworth
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Mātai Medical Research Institute, Gisborne, New Zealand.,Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Helen V Danesh-Meyer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Eye Institute, Auckland, New Zealand
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17
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Rapid Automatized Picture Naming in an Outpatient Concussion Center: Quantitative Eye Movements during the Mobile Universal Lexicon Evaluation System (MULES) Test. CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/ctn6030018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Number and picture rapid automatized naming (RAN) tests are useful sideline diagnostic tools. The main outcome measure of these RAN tests is the completion time, which is prolonged with a concussion, yet yields no information about eye movement behavior. We investigated eye movements during a digitized Mobile Universal Lexicon Evaluation System (MULES) test of rapid picture naming. A total of 23 participants with a history of concussion and 50 control participants performed MULES testing with simultaneous eye tracking. The test times were longer in participants with a concussion (32.4 s [95% CI 30.4, 35.8] vs. 26.9 s [95% CI 25.9, 28.0], t=6.1). The participants with a concussion made more saccades per picture than the controls (3.6 [95% CI 3.3, 4.1] vs. 2.7 [95% CI 2.5, 3.0]), and this increase was correlated with longer MULES times (r = 0.46, p = 0.026). The inter-saccadic intervals (ISI) did not differ between the groups, nor did they correlate with the test times. Following a concussion, eye movement behavior differs during number versus picture RAN performance. Prior studies have shown that ISI prolongation is the key finding for a number-based RAN test, whereas this study shows a primary finding of an increased saccade number per picture with a picture-based RAN test. Number-based and picture-based RAN tests may be complimentary in concussion detection, as they may detect different injury effects or compensatory strategies.
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18
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Harris SA, Dempsey AR, Mackie K, King D, Hecimovich M, Murphy MC. Do Sideline Tests of Vestibular and Oculomotor Function Accurately Diagnose Sports-Related Concussion in Adults? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Am J Sports Med 2022; 50:2542-2551. [PMID: 34432554 DOI: 10.1177/03635465211027946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sports-related concussion (SRC) assessment tools are primarily based on subjective assessments of somatic, cognitive, and psychosocial/emotional symptoms. SRC symptoms remain underreported, and objective measures of SRC impairments would be valuable to assist diagnosis. Measurable impairments to vestibular and oculomotor processing have been shown to occur after SRC and may provide valid objective assessments. PURPOSE Determine the diagnostic accuracy of sideline tests of vestibular and oculomotor dysfunction to identify SRC in adults. STUDY DESIGN Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS Electronic databases and gray literature were searched from inception until February 12, 2020. Physically active individuals (>16 years of age) who participated in sports were included. The reference standard for SRC was a combination of clinical signs and symptoms (eg, the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool [SCAT]), and index tests included any oculomotor assessment tool. The QUADAS tool was used to assess risk of bias, with the credibility of the evidence being rated according to GRADE. RESULTS A total of 8 studies were included in this review. All included studies used the King-Devick test, with no other measures being identified. Meta-analysis was performed on 4 studies with a summary sensitivity and specificity of 0.77 and 0.82, respectively. The overall credibility of the evidence was rated as very low. CONCLUSION Caution must be taken when interpreting these results given the very low credibility of the evidence, and the true summary sensitivity and specificity may substantially differ from the values calculated within this systematic review. Therefore, we recommend that clinicians using the King-Devick test to diagnose SRC in adults do so in conjunction with other tools such as the SCAT. PROSPERO REGISTRATION CRD42018106632.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah A Harris
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.,Institute of Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Alasdair R Dempsey
- Murdoch Applied Sports Science (MASS) Laboratory, Discipline of Exercise Science, College of Science Health Engineering and Education, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | - Katherine Mackie
- Emergency Department, St John of God Murdoch Hospital, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Doug King
- Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand (SPRINZ), Faculty of Health and Environmental Science, Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.,Traumatic Brain injury Network (TBIN), Auckland University of Technology, Auckland, New Zealand.,School of Science and Technology, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Mark Hecimovich
- Department of Athletic Training, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, Iowa, USA
| | - Myles C Murphy
- School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia.,School of Nursing, Midwifery, Health Sciences and Physiotherapy, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Western Australia, Australia.,SportsMed Subiaco, St John of God Health Care, Subiaco, Western Australia, Australia
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19
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Snegireva N, Derman W, Patricios J, Welman KE. Blink duration is increased in concussed youth athletes: a validity study using eye tracking in male youth and adult athletes of selected contact sports. Physiol Meas 2022; 43. [PMID: 35709708 DOI: 10.1088/1361-6579/ac799b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Diagnosing a sports-related concussion (SRC) remains challenging, and research into diagnostic tools is limited. This study investigated whether selected eye tracking variables would be a valid tool to diagnose and monitor SRC in adult and youth participants in selected contact sports, such as Rugby Union (rugby) and football (soccer). METHODS This prospective cohort study, with 70 concussed and 92 non-concussed adult and youth athletes, assessed the validity of five previously selected eye tracking variables for SRC diagnostics and management. The performance between concussed and age-matched control (non-concussed) athletes, as well as between three successive testing sessions in the concussed athletes were compared. Self-paced saccade count in adult group; blink duration in the memory-guided saccade and sinusoidal smooth pursuit tasks, proportion of antisaccade errors, and gain of diagonal smooth pursuit in the youth group were assessed. RESULTS The youth concussed group had higher blink duration in the fast memory-guided saccades task (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.17) and a tendency for higher blink duration in the sinusoidal smooth pursuit task (p = 0.016, η2 = 0.06) compared to the youth control group. In both tasks the blink duration in the concussed youth group decreased from session 1 to session 2 by 24% and 18%, accordingly, although statistical significance was not reached. The concussed adult group demonstrated a lower number of self-paced saccades compared to controls (p = 0.05, η2 = 0.09), which gradually increased, with the largest difference between session 1 and session 3 (p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS Blink duration in youth athletes holds promise as a valid metric for concussion diagnostics and monitoring. It is recommended to focus future studies on comparing eye tracking performance within the same concussed athletes over time rather than comparing them to healthy controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nadja Snegireva
- Sports Science, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Suidwal Road, Coetzenburg, Cape Town, Western Cape, 7601, SOUTH AFRICA
| | - Wayne Derman
- Institute of Sport and Exercise Medicine, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Francie Van Zijl Dr, Parow, Cape Town, Western Cape, 7505, SOUTH AFRICA
| | - Jon Patricios
- Wits Institute for Sport and Health, University of the Witwatersrand Faculty of Health Sciences, 27 St Andrews Rd, Parktown, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2193, SOUTH AFRICA
| | - Karen Estelle Welman
- Sports Science, Stellenbosch University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Suidwal Road, Coetzenburg, Cape Town, Western Cape, 7601, SOUTH AFRICA
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20
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McDonald MA, Holdsworth SJ, Danesh-Meyer HV. Eye Movements in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Ocular Biomarkers. J Eye Mov Res 2022; 15:10.16910/jemr.15.2.4. [PMID: 36439911 PMCID: PMC9682364 DOI: 10.16910/jemr.15.2.4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI, or concussion), results from direct and indirect trauma to the head (i.e. a closed injury of transmitted forces), with or without loss of consciousness. The current method of diagnosis is largely based on symptom assessment and clinical history. There is an urgent need to identify an objective biomarker which can not only detect injury, but inform prognosis and recovery. Ocular motor impairment is argued to be ubiquitous across mTBI subtypes and may serve as a valuable clinical biomarker with the recent advent of more affordable and portable eye tracking technology. Many groups have positively correlated the degree of ocular motor impairment to symptom severity with a minority attempting to validate these findings with diffusion tract imaging and functional MRI. However, numerous methodological issues limit the interpretation of results, preventing any singular ocular biomarker from prevailing. This review will comprehensively describe the anatomical susceptibility, clinical measurement, and current eye tracking literature surrounding saccades, smooth pursuit, vestibulo-ocular reflex, vergence, pupillary light reflex, and accommodation in mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A McDonald
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Mātai Medical Research Institute, Gisborne, New Zealand
| | - Samantha J Holdsworth
- Department of Anatomy and Medical Imaging, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Mātai Medical Research Institute, Gisborne, New Zealand
| | - Helen V Danesh-Meyer
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Eye Institute, Auckland, New Zealand
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21
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Manelis A, Lima Santos JP, Suss SJ, Holland CL, Stiffler RS, Bitzer HB, Mailliard S, Shaffer MA, Caviston K, Collins MW, Phillips ML, Kontos AP, Versace A. Vestibular/ocular motor symptoms in concussed adolescents are linked to retrosplenial activation. Brain Commun 2022; 4:fcac123. [PMID: 35615112 PMCID: PMC9127539 DOI: 10.1093/braincomms/fcac123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Following concussion, adolescents often experience vestibular and ocular motor symptoms as well as working memory deficits that may affect their cognitive, academic and social well-being. Complex visual environments including school activities, playing sports, or socializing with friends may be overwhelming for concussed adolescents suffering from headache, dizziness, nausea and fogginess, thus imposing heightened requirements on working memory to adequately function in such environments. While understanding the relationship between working memory and vestibular/ocular motor symptoms is critically important, no previous study has examined how an increase in working memory task difficulty affects the relationship between severity of vestibular/ocular motor symptoms and brain and behavioural responses in a working memory task. To address this question, we examined 80 adolescents (53 concussed, 27 non-concussed) using functional MRI while performing a 1-back (easy) and 2-back (difficult) working memory tasks with angry, happy, neutral and sad face distractors. Concussed adolescents completed the vestibular/ocular motor screening and were scanned within 10 days of injury. We found that all participants showed lower accuracy and slower reaction time on difficult (2-back) versus easy (1-back) tasks (P-values < 0.05). Concussed adolescents were significantly slower than controls across all conditions (P < 0.05). In concussed adolescents, higher vestibular/ocular motor screening total scores were associated with significantly greater differences in reaction time between 1-back and 2-back across all distractor conditions and significantly greater differences in retrosplenial cortex activation for the 1-back versus 2-back condition with neutral face distractors (P-values < 0.05). Our findings suggest that processing of emotionally ambiguous information (e.g. neutral faces) additionally increases the task difficulty for concussed adolescents. Post-concussion vestibular/ocular motor symptoms may reduce the ability to inhibit emotionally ambiguous information during working memory tasks, potentially affecting cognitive, academic and social functioning in concussed adolescents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Manelis
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Stephen J. Suss
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Cynthia L. Holland
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery/UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | | | - Hannah B. Bitzer
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery/UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Sarrah Mailliard
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Madelyn A. Shaffer
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery/UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Kaitlin Caviston
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery/UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Michael W. Collins
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery/UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Mary L. Phillips
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Anthony P. Kontos
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery/UPMC Sports Medicine Concussion Program, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Amelia Versace
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
- Department of Radiology, Magnetic Resonance Research Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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22
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Kaae C, Cadigan K, Lai K, Theis J. Vestibulo-ocular dysfunction in mTBI: Utility of the VOMS for evaluation and management – A review. NeuroRehabilitation 2022; 50:279-296. [DOI: 10.3233/nre-228012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Individuals who have suffered a concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) frequently report symptoms associated with vestibular and/or oculomotor dysfunction (VOD) like dizziness, nausea, fatigue, brain fog, headache, gait and neurocognitive impairments which are associated with the development of chronic symptoms. The Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) tool has been established as a reliable and clinically relevant complement to use alongside a battery of post-concussion tests to improve screening and referral for further evaluation and treatment of VOD. OBJECTIVES: This paper will review the pathoanatomy and symptomatology of common vestibular and oculomotor disorders after concussion, as well as the utility of the VOMS to assist in diagnosis, referral, and management. METHODS: Primary articles were identified using a search via PubMed, Google Scholar, OneSearch, and CINAHL. Search key terms were combinations of “mild traumatic brain injury” or “concussion” or “pursuit” or “accommodation” or “vergence” or “convergence insufficiency” or “saccades” or “vestibulo-ocular reflex” or “vestibular ocular motor screen” or “vestibular rehabilitation”, or “vision rehabilitation” including adult and pediatric populations that were published in print or electronically from 1989 to 2021 in English. Classic papers on anatomy of eye movements, vestibular system and pathological changes in mTBI were also included, regardless of publication date. RESULTS: Objective impairments are commonly found during testing of smooth pursuit, saccades, vergence, accommodation, vestibular ocular reflex, and visual motion sensitivity after mTBI. These deficits can be actively treated with vestibular physical therapy and oculomotor/neuro-optometric vision therapy. VOMS is an efficient and reliable tool that can be used by all healthcare and rehabilitation providers to aid in diagnosis of post-concussion VOD, to help facilitate the decision to refer for further evaluation and treatment to expedite symptomatic post-concussion recovery. CONCLUSIONS: VOD is common after concussion in acute, post-acute, and chronic phases. Once areas of impairments are identified through proper assessment, clinicians can maximize recovery by referring to vestibular physical therapy and/or neuro-optometry to design a targeted treatment program to address individual deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristen Kaae
- Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Vallejo, CA, USA
| | | | - Katherine Lai
- Kaiser Permanente Medical Center, Oakland, CA, USA
- Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science at the University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
| | - Jacqueline Theis
- Herbert Wertheim School of Optometry & Vision Science at the University of California, Berkeley, CA, USA
- Virginia Neuro-Optometry at Concussion Care Centre of Virginia, Richmond VA, USA
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Patterson Gentile C, Aguirre GK, Arbogast KB, Master CL. Relationship between Visually Evoked Effects and Concussion in Youth. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:841-849. [PMID: 35166126 PMCID: PMC9225424 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2021.0475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Increased sensitivity to light is common after concussion. Viewing a flickering light can also produce uncomfortable somatic sensations like nausea or headache. We examined effects evoked by viewing a patterned, flickering screen in a cohort of 81 uninjured youth athletes and 84 concussed youth. We used Multiple correspondence analysis and identified two primary dimensions of variation: the presence or absence of visually evoked effects and variation in the tendency to manifest effects that localized to the eyes (e.g., eye watering) versus more generalized neurological effects (e.g., headache). Based on these two primary dimensions, we grouped participants into three categories of evoked symptomatology: no effects, eye-predominant effects, and brain-predominant effects. A similar proportion of participants reported eye-predominant effects in the uninjured (33.3%) and concussed (32.1%) groups. By contrast, participants who experienced brain-predominant effects were almost entirely from the concussed group (1.2% of uninjured, 35.7% of concussed). The presence of brain-predominant effects was associated with a higher concussion symptom burden and reduced performance on visio-vestibular tasks. Our findings indicate that the experience of negative constitutional, somatic sensations in response to a dynamic visual stimulus is a salient marker of concussion and is indicative of more severe concussion symptomatology. We speculate that differences in visually evoked effects reflect varying levels of activation of the trigeminal nociceptive system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlyn Patterson Gentile
- Department of Pediatrics, and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Department of Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children”s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Geoffrey K. Aguirre
- Department of Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Kristy B. Arbogast
- Department of Pediatrics, and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children”s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
| | - Christina L. Master
- Department of Pediatrics, and Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Injury Research and Prevention, Children”s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Richard J, Lin YS, Wernet L, Kasitinon D, Royston A, Bristow K, Garner D, Argo LR. Is the King-Devick Test a Reliable Tool in Wheelchair Athletes? A Preliminary Prospective Study in Wheelchair Basketball. Clin J Sport Med 2022; 32:e134-e138. [PMID: 32956101 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000000889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2020] [Accepted: 08/10/2020] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE (1) To determine the reliability of the King-Devick (KD) test among wheelchair basketball athletes across a season and (2) to compare the KD test time changes among those with and without a clinically suspected concussion. DESIGN Prospective, observational study. SETTING Division 3 college athletics department. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-nine intercollegiate wheelchair basketball athletes. INTERVENTIONS Athletes were prospectively monitored for concussions throughout the 2018 to 2019 season. King-Devick testing was completed preseason, midseason, postseason, and after clinically suspected concussions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Two-way random effects intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was calculated. Friedman's test and pairwise comparison with Bonferroni correction were used to compare for change over time. Mean KD times and changes were compared between athletes with and without suspected concussion. RESULTS The KD test demonstrated good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.826). Among participants without a concussion, there was a significant decrease in the mean KD test time from preseason to midseason (-3.3 seconds; P = 0.0167) and preseason to postseason (-3.3 seconds; P = 0.0167). No change was seen from mid-to-post season. Six athletes had 7 suspected concussions. Each demonstrated an increase in the KD test time, with a mean increase from 44.3 ± 9.5 seconds to 53.7 ± 12.8 seconds. King-Devick test times returned to or below baseline by postseason. CONCLUSIONS The KD test shows good reliability among wheelchair basketball athletes without a concussion. A learning effect is demonstrated initially but plateaus on subsequent testing. Unlike athletes without a concussion, players with a clinically suspected concussion showed an increase in the KD test time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua Richard
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Yen-Sheng Lin
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Lauren Wernet
- University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, Texas; and
| | | | - Alexa Royston
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Kristen Bristow
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Lindsay Ramey Argo
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,WellMed Medical Group, Fort Worth, Texas
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25
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Wright WG, Handy JD, Haskell A, Servatius L, Servatius R. History of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Affects Static Balance Under Complex Multisensory Manipulations. J Neurotrauma 2022; 39:821-828. [PMID: 35229645 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2020.7600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A recent study in active duty military in the Coast Guard suggested lifetime experience with mTBI was associated with subtle deficits in postural control when exposed to multisensory discordance (i.e. rotating visual stimulation). The present study extended postural assessments to veterans recruited from the community. Service veterans completed the Defense Veteran Brain Injury Center (DVBIC) TBI Screening Tool, PTSD Checklist (PCL-5), and neurobehavioral symptom inventory (NSI). Postural control was assessed using a custom designed virtual reality based device, which assessed center of pressure (COP) sway in response to six conditions designed to test sensory integration by systematically combining three visual conditions (eyes open, eyes closed, and rotating scene) with two somatosensory conditions (firm or foam surface). Veterans screening positive for lifetime experience of mTBI (mTBI+) displayed similar postural sway to veterans without lifetime experience of mTBI (mTBI-) on basic assessment of eyes open or closed on firm and foam surface. mTBI+ veterans displayed greater sway than mTBI- veterans in response to the rotating visual stimuli while on a foam surface. Similar to previous research the degree of sway was affected by the number of lifetime experiences of mTBI. Increased postural sway was not related to PTSD, NSI, or, balance-specific symptom expression. In summary, veterans who experienced mTBI over their lifetime exhibited dysfunction in balance control as revealed by challenging conditions with multisensory discordance. These balance-related signs were independent of self-reported balance-related symptoms or other symptom domains measured by the NSI, which can provide a method for exposing otherwise covert dysfunction long after experience of mTBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- W Geoffrey Wright
- Temple University College of Public Health, 16043, Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States;
| | - Justin D Handy
- Central New York Research Corporation, Research and Development, Syracuse, New York, United States;
| | - Amanda Haskell
- Syracuse VAMC, 20078, Research, Syracuse, New York, United States.,Central New York Research Corporation, Research and Development, Syracuse, New York, United States;
| | - Labeeby Servatius
- Syracuse VAMC, 20078, Research, Syracuse, New York, United States.,Central New York Research Corporation, Research and Development, Syracuse, New York, United States;
| | - Richard Servatius
- Syracuse VAMC, 20078, Research, Syracuse, New York, United States.,SUNY Upstate Medical University, 12302, Psychiatry, Syracuse, New York, United States;
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26
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Cade A, Turnbull PR. Clinical testing of mild traumatic brain injury using computerised eye-tracking tests. Clin Exp Optom 2022; 105:680-686. [PMID: 35021960 DOI: 10.1080/08164622.2021.2018915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) refers to the alteration of typical brain function that occurs following a blow to the head. Even a mild case of traumatic brain injury (mTBI) can lead to long-term impairment, so accurate and timely detection is vital. Visual symptoms are common following mTBI, so while it may seem to fall outside their typical scope of practice, optometrists are ideally qualified to assess the visual impacts and help with the diagnosis of mTBI. Given that mTBI is challenging to objectively diagnose and has no universally accepted diagnostic criteria, clinicians can lack confidence in diagnosing mTBI, and be hesitant in becoming involved in the management of such patients. The development of easily quantifiable techniques using eye tracking as an objective diagnostic tool provides practitioners with an easier pathway into the field, assigning numerical values to parameters which are difficult to assess using conventional optometric tests. As this evolving technology becomes increasingly integrated into optometric clinical settings, the potential for it to identify deficits accurately and reliably in patients following mTBI, and to monitor both their recovery and the effectiveness of potential treatments will increase. This paper provides an overview of clinical tests, relevant to optometrists, that can uncover oculomotor, attentional, and exteroceptive deficits following a mTBI, so that an optometrist with an interest in eye tracking can play a role in the detection and monitoring of mTBI symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Cade
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Philip Rk Turnbull
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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27
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The MICK (Mobile integrated cognitive kit) app: Digital rapid automatized naming for visual assessment across the spectrum of neurological disorders. J Neurol Sci 2022; 434:120150. [PMID: 35038658 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2021] [Revised: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Rapid automatized naming (RAN) tasks have been utilized for decades to evaluate neurological conditions. Time scores for the Mobile Universal Lexicon Evaluation System (MULES, rapid picture naming) and Staggered Uneven Number (SUN, rapid number naming) are prolonged (worse) with concussion, mild cognitive impairment, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease. The purpose of this investigation was to compare paper/pencil versions of MULES and SUN with a new digitized format, the MICK app. METHODS Participants (healthy office-based volunteers, professional women's hockey players), completed two trials of the MULES and SUN tests on both platforms (tablet, paper/pencil). The order of presentation of the testing platforms was randomized. Between-platform variability was calculated using the two-way random-effects intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS Among 59 participants (median age 32, range 22-83), no significant differences were observed for comparisons of mean best scores for the paper/pencil versus MICK app platforms, counterbalanced for order of administration (P = 0.45 for MULES, P = 0.50 for SUN, linear regression). ICCs for agreement between the MICK and paper/pencil tests were 0.92 (95% CI 0.86, 0.95) for MULES and 0.94 (95% CI 0.89, 0.96) for SUN, representing excellent levels of agreement. Inter-platform differences did not vary systematically across the range of average best time score for either test. CONCLUSION The MICK app for digital administration of MULES and SUN demonstrates excellent agreement of time scores with paper/pencil testing. The computerized app allows for greater accessibility and scalability in neurological diseases, inclusive of remote monitoring. Sideline testing for sports-related concussion may also benefit from this technology.
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28
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Gallagher VT, Murthy P, Stocks J, Vesci B, Mjaanes J, Chen Y, Breiter HC, LaBella C, Herrold AA, Reilly JL. Eye Movements Detect Differential Change after Participation in Male Collegiate Collision versus Non-Collision Sports. Neurotrauma Rep 2021; 2:440-452. [PMID: 34901940 PMCID: PMC8655805 DOI: 10.1089/neur.2021.0030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Although neuroimaging studies of collision (COLL) sport athletes demonstrate alterations in brain structure and function from pre- to post-season, reliable tools to detect behavioral/cognitive change relevant to functional networks associated with participation in collision sports are lacking. This study evaluated the use of eye-movement testing to detect change in cognitive and sensorimotor processing among male club collegiate athletes after one season of participation in collision sports of variable exposure. We predicted that COLL (High Dose [hockey], n = 8; Low Dose [rugby], n = 9) would demonstrate longer reaction times (antisaccade and memory-guided saccade [MGS] latencies), increased inhibitory errors (antisaccade error rate), and poorer spatial working memory (MGS spatial accuracy) at post-season, relative to pre-season, whereas non-collision collegiate athletes (NON-COLL; n = 17) would remain stable. We also predicted that whereas eye-movement performance would detect pre- to post-season change, ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Test) performance would remain stable. Our data showed that NON-COLL had shorter (improved performance) post- versus pre-season antisaccade and MGS latencies, whereas COLL groups showed stable, longer, or attenuated reduction in latency (ps ≤ 0.001). Groups did not differ in antisaccade error rate. On the MGS task, NON-COLL demonstrated improved spatial accuracy over time, whereas COLL groups showed reduced spatial accuracy (p < 0.05, uncorrected). No differential change was observed on ImPACT. This study provides preliminary evidence for eye-movement testing as a sensitive marker of subtle changes in attentional control and working memory resulting from participation in sports with varying levels of subconcussive exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Prianka Murthy
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jane Stocks
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Brian Vesci
- Department of Sports Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Jeffrey Mjaanes
- Department of Sports Medicine, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Yufen Chen
- Center for Translational Imaging, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA
| | - Hans C Breiter
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Cynthia LaBella
- Division of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Ann & Robert H Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Amy A Herrold
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - James L Reilly
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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29
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Annual Baseline King-Devick Oculomotor Function Testing Is Needed Due to Scores Varying by Age. Sports (Basel) 2021; 9:sports9120166. [PMID: 34941804 PMCID: PMC8707896 DOI: 10.3390/sports9120166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 12/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: To document baseline King-Devick (K-D) oculomotor function scores for male and female participants aged between 4 and 20 years old. Methods: Utilising a cross section of schools, rugby clubs and gymnastic clubs, 1936 participants (1300 male, 636 female) completed the spiral-bound K-D test for the identification of disturbed oculomotor function. Results: This study identified that overall, the baseline scores of the K-D test became faster by 1.4 (0.3 to 4.5) s per year, when compared with the previous age group in the same number of reading card groups. When comparing normative values of the original K-D validation study with the same age groups of the current cohort, participants aged 6 to 11 years recorded a faster baseline time (range 3.5 to 8.6 s), while those in the 12 to 14 years. age group recorded slower baseline times (range −3.9 to −7.9 s). Discussion: In general, there were age group differences, but not sex differences, for K-D test times in the current cohort. Analysis of single card times, across all age groups, showed changes likely due to improved reading time. Conclusion: The results support the need for individualised annual pre-injury baseline testing of the K-D test.
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30
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31
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Leonard BT, Kontos AP, Marchetti GF, Zhang M, Eagle SR, Reecher HM, Bensinger ES, Snyder VC, Holland CL, Sheehy CK, Rossi EA. Fixational eye movements following concussion. J Vis 2021; 21:11. [PMID: 34940825 PMCID: PMC8709928 DOI: 10.1167/jov.21.13.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate fixational eye movements (FEMs) with high spatial and temporal resolution following concussion, where oculomotor symptoms and impairments are common. Concussion diagnosis was determined using current consensus guidelines. A retinal eye-tracking device, the tracking scanning laser ophthalmoscope (TSLO), was used to measure FEMs in adolescents and young adults following a concussion and in an unaffected control population. FEMs were quantified in two fixational paradigms: (1) when fixating on the center, or (2) when fixating on the corner of the TSLO imaging raster. Fixational saccade amplitude in recent concussion patients (≤ 21 days) was significantly greater, on average, in the concussion group (mean = 1.03°; SD = 0.36°) compared with the controls (mean = 0.82°; SD = 0.31°), when fixating on the center of the imaging raster (t = 2.87, df = 82, p = 0.005). These fixational saccades followed the main sequence and therefore also had greater peak velocity (t = 2.86, df = 82, p = 0.006) and peak acceleration (t = 2.80, df = 82, p = 0.006). These metrics significantly differentiated concussed from controls (AUC = 0.67-0.68, minimum p = 0.005). No group differences were seen for the drift metrics in either task or for any of the FEMs metrics in the corner-of-raster fixation task. Fixational saccade amplitudes were significantly different in the concussion group, but only when fixating on the center of the raster. This task specificity suggests that task optimization may improve differentiation and warrants further study. FEMs measured in the acute-to-subacute period of concussion recovery may provide a quick (<3 minutes), objective, sensitive, and accurate ocular dysfunction assessment. Future work should assess the impact of age, mechanism of injury, and post-concussion recovery on FEM alterations following concussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca T Leonard
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,
| | - Anthony P Kontos
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,
| | | | - Min Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,
| | - Shawn R Eagle
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,
| | - Hope M Reecher
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,
| | - Ethan S Bensinger
- Vision Science Group, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, CA, USA.,
| | - Valerie C Snyder
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,
| | - Cyndi L Holland
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,
| | - Christy K Sheehy
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.,
| | - Ethan A Rossi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.,Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, Pittsburgh, PA, USA., rossilab.org
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32
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Gold DM, Rizzo JR, Lee YSC, Childs A, Hudson TE, Martone J, Matsuzawa YK, Fraser F, Ricker JH, Dai W, Selesnick I, Balcer LJ, Galetta SL, Rucker JC. King-Devick Test Performance and Cognitive Dysfunction after Concussion: A Pilot Eye Movement Study. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11121571. [PMID: 34942873 PMCID: PMC8699706 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11121571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The King-Devick (KD) rapid number naming test is sensitive for concussion diagnosis, with increased test time from baseline as the outcome measure. Eye tracking during KD performance in concussed individuals shows an association between inter-saccadic interval (ISI) (the time between saccades) prolongation and prolonged testing time. This pilot study retrospectively assesses the relation between ISI prolongation during KD testing and cognitive performance in persistently-symptomatic individuals post-concussion. (2) Results: Fourteen participants (median age 34 years; 6 women) with prior neuropsychological assessment and KD testing with eye tracking were included. KD test times (72.6 ± 20.7 s) and median ISI (379.1 ± 199.1 msec) were prolonged compared to published normative values. Greater ISI prolongation was associated with lower scores for processing speed (WAIS-IV Coding, r = 0.72, p = 0.0017), attention/working memory (Trails Making A, r = −0.65, p = 0.006) (Digit Span Forward, r = 0.57, p = −0.017) (Digit Span Backward, r= −0.55, p = 0.021) (Digit Span Total, r = −0.74, p = 0.001), and executive function (Stroop Color Word Interference, r = −0.8, p = 0.0003). (3) Conclusions: This pilot study provides preliminary evidence suggesting that cognitive dysfunction may be associated with prolonged ISI and KD test times in concussion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Doria M. Gold
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (D.M.G.); (J.-R.R.); (T.E.H.); (J.M.); (W.D.); (L.J.B.); (S.L.G.)
| | - John-Ross Rizzo
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (D.M.G.); (J.-R.R.); (T.E.H.); (J.M.); (W.D.); (L.J.B.); (S.L.G.)
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.S.C.L.); (A.C.); (Y.K.M.); (J.H.R.)
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY 11201, USA
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY 11201, USA
| | - Yuen Shan Christine Lee
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.S.C.L.); (A.C.); (Y.K.M.); (J.H.R.)
| | - Amanda Childs
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.S.C.L.); (A.C.); (Y.K.M.); (J.H.R.)
| | - Todd E. Hudson
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (D.M.G.); (J.-R.R.); (T.E.H.); (J.M.); (W.D.); (L.J.B.); (S.L.G.)
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.S.C.L.); (A.C.); (Y.K.M.); (J.H.R.)
| | - John Martone
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (D.M.G.); (J.-R.R.); (T.E.H.); (J.M.); (W.D.); (L.J.B.); (S.L.G.)
| | - Yuka K. Matsuzawa
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.S.C.L.); (A.C.); (Y.K.M.); (J.H.R.)
| | - Felicia Fraser
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, MetroHeath System, Cleveland, OH 44109, USA;
| | - Joseph H. Ricker
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (Y.S.C.L.); (A.C.); (Y.K.M.); (J.H.R.)
| | - Weiwei Dai
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (D.M.G.); (J.-R.R.); (T.E.H.); (J.M.); (W.D.); (L.J.B.); (S.L.G.)
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY 11201, USA;
| | - Ivan Selesnick
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, New York University Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY 11201, USA;
| | - Laura J. Balcer
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (D.M.G.); (J.-R.R.); (T.E.H.); (J.M.); (W.D.); (L.J.B.); (S.L.G.)
- Department of Population Health, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Steven L. Galetta
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (D.M.G.); (J.-R.R.); (T.E.H.); (J.M.); (W.D.); (L.J.B.); (S.L.G.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
| | - Janet C. Rucker
- Department of Neurology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA; (D.M.G.); (J.-R.R.); (T.E.H.); (J.M.); (W.D.); (L.J.B.); (S.L.G.)
- Department of Ophthalmology, New York University Grossman School of Medicine, New York, NY 10016, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-212-263-7744
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Poltavski D, Biberdorf D, Praus Poltavski C. Which Comes First in Sports Vision Training: The Software or the Hardware Update? Utility of Electrophysiological Measures in Monitoring Specialized Visual Training in Youth Athletes. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:732303. [PMID: 34690722 PMCID: PMC8527177 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.732303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the present study we combined popular methods of sports vision training (SVT) with traditional oculomotor protocols of Optometric Vision Therapy (OVT) and electrophysiological indexes of EEG and VEP activity to monitor training progress and changes in performance of youth ice hockey players without the history of concussion. We hypothesized that administration of OVT protocols before SVT training may result in larger performance improvements compared to the reverse order due to the initial strengthening of visual hardware capable of handling greater demands during training of visuomotor integration and information processing skills (visual software). In a cross-over design 53 youth ice hockey players (ages 13-18) were randomly assigned to one of the two training groups. Group one (hardware-software group) completed 5 weeks of oculomotor training first followed by 5 weeks of software training. For group 2 (software-hardware) the order of procedures were reversed. After 10 weeks of training both groups significantly improved their performance on all but one measure of the Nike/Senaptec Sensory station measures. Additionally, the software-hardware training order resulted in significantly lower frontal theta-to-gamma amplitude ratios on the Nike/Senaptec test of Near-Far Quickness as well as in faster P100 latencies. Both training orders also resulted in significant decreases in post-treatment P100 amplitude to transient VEP stimuli as well as decreased theta-gamma ratios for perception span, Go/No-Go and Hand Reaction time. The observed changes in the electrophysiological indexes in the present study are thought to reflect greater efficiency in visual information processing and cognitive resource allocation following 10 weeks of visual training. There is also some evidence of the greater effectiveness of the software-hardware training order possibly due to the improved preparedness of the oculomotor system in the youth athletes for administration of targeted protocols of the Optometric Vision Therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitri Poltavski
- Department of Psychology, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, United States
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Eye tracking to assess concussions: an intra-rater reliability study with healthy youth and adult athletes of selected contact and collision team sports. Exp Brain Res 2021; 239:3289-3302. [PMID: 34467416 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-021-06205-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Eye movements that are dependent on cognition hold promise in assessing sports-related concussions but research on reliability of eye tracking measurements in athletic cohorts is very limited. This observational test-retest study aimed to establish whether eye tracking technology is a reliable tool for assessing sports-related concussions in youth and adult athletes partaking in contact and collision team sports. Forty-three youth (15.4 ± 2.2 years) and 27 adult (22.2 ± 2.9 years) Rugby Union and soccer players completed the study. Eye movements were recorded using SMIRED250mobile while participants completed a test battery twice, with a 1-week interval that included self-paced saccade (SPS), fixation stability, memory-guided sequence (MGS), smooth pursuit (SP), and antisaccades (AS) tasks. Intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), measurement error (SEM) and smallest real difference (SRD) were calculated for 47 variables. Seventeen variables achieved an ICC > 0.50. In the adults, saccade count in SPS had good reliability (ICC = 0.86, SRD = 146.6 saccades). In the youth, the average blink duration in MGS had excellent reliability (ICC = 0.99, SRD = 59.4 ms); directional errors in AS tasks and gain of diagonal SP had good reliability (ICC = 0.78 and 0.77, SRD = 25.3 and 395.1%, respectively). Four metrics were found in this study to be reliable candidates for further biomarker validity research in contact and collision sport cohorts. Many variables failed to present a sufficient level of robustness for a practical diagnostic tool; possibly, because athletic cohorts have higher homogeneity, along with latent adverse effects of undetected concussions and repetitive head impacts. Since reliability of a measure can influence type II error, effect sizes, and confidence intervals, it is strongly advocated to conduct dedicated reliability evaluations prior to any validity studies.
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Test Order Does Not Affect Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening Item Scores in High School Athletes. Clin J Sport Med 2021; 31:e240-e244. [PMID: 31842048 DOI: 10.1097/jsm.0000000000000776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 06/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare VOMS item scores between a fixed and randomized administration order in a sample of nonconcussed high school athletes. DESIGN Post-test only, quasi-experimental design. SETTING Local high schools in a mid-west region of the United States. PATIENTS Fifty nonconcussed high school athletes (M = 15.64; SD = 1.12 years) completed the VOMS in a randomized testing order (RANDOM), and 49 (M = 15.64; SD = 1.12 years) completed the VOMS in the fixed testing order (FIXED). The groups were matched on age, sex, learning disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, concussion history, and baseline concussion symptoms. INTERVENTIONS The Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) tool comprises pretest symptoms, smooth pursuit (SP), horizontal/vertical saccade (HSAC/VSAC), average near-point of convergence (NPC) distance, convergence symptoms, horizontal/vertical vestibular ocular reflex (HVOR/VVOR), and visual motion sensitivity (VMS). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to examine differences between FIXED and RANDOM groups on VOMS items. RANDOM scores were rearranged in order of administration and combined with the FIXED group scores, and a Freidman test was performed for repeated measures. RESULTS There were no significant differences between FIXED and RANDOM groups on VOMS pretest symptoms (U = 1171, P = 0.57), SP (U = 1122.5, P = 0.35), HSAC (U = 1128.5, P = 0.44), VSAC (U = 1055.5, P = 0.16), convergence symptoms (U = 1129.0, P = 0.41), average NPC distance (U = 979.0, P = 0.06), HVOR (U = 1085.0, P = 0.25), VVOR (U = 1126.0, P = 0.41), and VMS scores (U = 1101.0, P = 0.32). When VOMS items were rearranged and the sample was combined, there were no differences for repeated measures [χ2 (6) = 9.92, P = 0.13]. CONCLUSIONS There were no significant differences on VOMS items between FIXED and RANDOM groups for repeated measures. The testing order of VOMS items does not affect VOMS scores in nonconcussed high school athletes.
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Wagener SG. Participation experience for persons with oculomotor impairments after acquired brain injury. Br J Occup Ther 2021. [DOI: 10.1177/03080226211031804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Introduction While individuals with acquired brain injury (ABI) often receive occupational therapy, relatively little is known about how those with related oculomotor problems characterize their ability to participate in everyday activities and life roles. This study describes the difficulties experienced by this population. Method This study is a thematic analysis of qualitative responses to open-ended questions based on answers to a standardized assessment. Thirty rehabilitation outpatients with ABI-related oculomotor impairments participated in semi-structured interviews to describe their experiences of difficulties in everyday activities. Results Difficulties were associated with three themes: challenges of the activities and environments (activity requirements, physical and socioeconomic environments, and time), self-identified personal difficulties (physical, cognitive, and socioemotional), and changes in habits/roles/priorities (modifications to activities and environments, loss and negative consequences, and life management changes). Conclusion How people with ABI-related oculomotor impairments experience difficulties while participating in activities is dynamic and complex. Challenging activity requirements and environments often led to personal difficulties, which limited participation. Activity modifications, changes in priorities, and managing energy budget enhanced participation. A model of the experience is proposed. Findings suggest using activity analysis and teaching compensatory methods and life management strategies with individuals may assist in ability to participate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon G Wagener
- Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, Allina Health, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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Walz JA, Mani R, Alnawmasi MM, Khuu SK. Visuospatial Attention Allocation as an Indicator of Cognitive Deficit in Traumatic Brain Injury: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Front Hum Neurosci 2021; 15:675376. [PMID: 34354575 PMCID: PMC8329082 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2021.675376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is defined by changes in brain function resulting from external forces acting on the brain and is typically characterized by a host of physiological and functional changes such as cognitive deficits including attention problems. In the present study, we focused on the effect of TBI on the ability to allocate attention in vision (i.e., the use of endogenous and exogenous visual cues) by systematically reviewing previous literature on the topic. We conducted quantitative synthesis of 16 selected studies of visual attention following TBI, calculating 80 effect size estimates. The combined effect size was large (g = 0.79, p < 0.0001) with medium heterogeneity (I2 = 68.39%). Subgroup analyses revealed an increase in deficit with moderate-to-severe and severe TBI as compared to mild TBI [F(2, 76) = 24.14, p < 0.0001]. Task type was another key source of variability and subgroup analyses indicated that higher order attention processes were severely affected by TBI [F(2, 77) = 5.66, p = 0.0051). Meta-regression analyses revealed significant improvement in visual attention deficit with time [p(mild) = 0.031, p(moderate-to-severe) = 0.002, p(severe) < 0.0001]. Taken together, these results demonstrate that visual attention is affected by TBI and that regular assessment of visual attention, using a systematic attention allocation task, may provide a useful clinical measure of cognitive impairment and change after TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacinta A Walz
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Revathy Mani
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mohammed M Alnawmasi
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Sieu K Khuu
- School of Optometry and Vision Science, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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Puckett Y, Caballero B, Dissanaike S, Richmond R, Ronaghan CA. Surgeons Maintain Better Focus Working 12-Hour Shifts Compared to 24-Hour Calls. JOURNAL OF SURGICAL EDUCATION 2021; 78:1280-1285. [PMID: 33386286 DOI: 10.1016/j.jsurg.2020.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 11/02/2020] [Accepted: 12/12/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In this quality improvement project, we analyzed surgeon focus and attention utilizing a visual tracking device. We hypothesized that surgeons maintained better focus working 12-hour shifts compared to 24-hour calls. MATERIALS AND METHODS A prospective, quality improvement project was performed on surgery residents, medical students, and attending physicians working at a busy, tertiary referral, safety-net hospital with Level 1 trauma and burn centers. A visual tracking system was used to measure visual attention before and after a 12-hour, in-house shift and a 24-hour, surgical in-house call. A pupil tracker was utilized to measure attention impairment. Individual performance was rated on a scale of 0 to 6: Severely Impaired- 0; Impaired- 1; Low Average- 2; Average- 3; Above Average- 4; High Average- 5; Superior- 6. Data were analyzed for homogeneity. The Wilcoxon Ranked Sum was used to assess for statistically significant differences between focus scores in the same group of individuals before and after shifts and/or calls. The Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare differences in focus between 12 and 24 hour in-house shifts and/or calls. RESULTS A total of 21 surgeons provided a total of 61 visual tracking tests for analysis. Results were found to be nonhomogeneous. The project population was 46% men with a median age of 31 years IQR (28-33). General surgery residents accounted for 48 tests, medical students for 2, and attending surgeons for 11. Average hours of self-reported sleep before the shift/call was 6 (IQR; 6-7). There was almost no overall change in focus in individuals before and after a 12-hour, in-house shift -0.06 (SD 1.9), while after a 24- hour, in-house call, focus decreased by almost 2 full grades -1.8 (SD 1.6) (p = 0.013). There was no statistically significant difference in focus found between 12-hour day shift and 12-hour night shift. CONCLUSIONS Twelve-hour shifts appear to preserve focus in surgeons better compared with 24- hour, in-house calls. More research is needed to establish the optimal time of surgeon focus maintenance and shift duration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yana Puckett
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas.
| | - Beatrice Caballero
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Sharmila Dissanaike
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Robyn Richmond
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
| | - Catherine A Ronaghan
- Department of Surgery, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, Texas
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Campbell KR, Parrington L, Peterka RJ, Martini DN, Hullar TE, Horak FB, Chesnutt JC, Fino PC, King LA. Exploring persistent complaints of imbalance after mTBI: Oculomotor, peripheral vestibular and central sensory integration function. J Vestib Res 2021; 31:519-530. [PMID: 34024798 DOI: 10.3233/ves-201590] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known on the peripheral and central sensory contributions to persistent dizziness and imbalance following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). OBJECTIVE To identify peripheral vestibular, central integrative, and oculomotor causes for chronic symptoms following mTBI. METHODS Individuals with chronic mTBI symptoms and healthy controls (HC) completed a battery of oculomotor, peripheral vestibular and instrumented posturography evaluations and rated subjective symptoms on validated questionnaires. We defined abnormal oculomotor, peripheral vestibular, and central sensory integration for balance measures among mTBI participants as falling outside a 10-percentile cutoff determined from HC data. A X-squared test associated the proportion of normal and abnormal responses in each group. Partial Spearman's rank correlations evaluated the relationships between chronic symptoms and measures of oculomotor, peripheral vestibular, and central function for balance control. RESULTS The mTBI group (n = 58) had more abnormal measures of central sensory integration for balance than the HC (n = 61) group (mTBI: 41% -61%; HC: 10%, p's < 0.001), but no differences on oculomotor and peripheral vestibular function (p > 0.113). Symptom severities were negatively correlated with central sensory integration for balance scores (p's < 0.048). CONCLUSIONS Ongoing balance complaints in people with chronic mTBI are explained more by central sensory integration dysfunction rather than peripheral vestibular or oculomotor dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kody R Campbell
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Lucy Parrington
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Robert J Peterka
- National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Douglas N Martini
- Department of Kinesiology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Amherst, MA, USA
| | - Timothy E Hullar
- National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System, Portland, OR, USA.,Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Fay B Horak
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - James C Chesnutt
- Departments of Family Medicine, Neurology, and Orthopedics & Rehabilitation, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
| | - Peter C Fino
- Department of Health and Kinesiology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Laurie A King
- Department of Neurology, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, USA
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Linder SM, Koop MM, Tucker D, Guzi K, Gray DC, Alberts JL. Development and Validation of a Mobile Application to Detect Visual Dysfunction Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Mil Med 2021; 186:584-591. [PMID: 33499531 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaa360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2020] [Revised: 08/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Following mild traumatic brain injury, visual dysfunction is a common occurrence, yet the condition often goes undiagnosed. A mobile application was developed to measure aspects of visual acuity and oculomotor function. The aim of this project was to validate the newly developed suite of outcomes conducive for use in the field to detect visual dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS A custom mobile application was developed on an Apple iPad using iOS operating system software version 11.0 in Objective C to measure near point of convergence (NPC), distance visual acuity, reading fluency, and self-rated convergence insufficiency (CI). To determine construct validity, 50 healthy young adults were administered NPC and distance visual acuity assessments using the iPad and standard clinical approaches. A ruler measurement was obtained simultaneous to the iPad NPC measurement to determine measurement accuracy. All testing was administered by a licensed optometrist and the order of testing (iPad versus clinical) was randomized. RESULTS The correlation coefficient between the iPad and clinical measurements of NPC was 0.893, while iPad and ruler measurement was 0.947. Modest accordance was found between iPad and wall chart measures assessing distance visual acuity. A ceiling effect was evident with use of a wall chart to determine distance visual acuity. Healthy young adults scored a mean (SD) of 13.0 (7.4) on the Convergence Insufficiency Symptom Survey. Reading fluency was highly variable with a mean (SD) of 291 (119) words per minute. CONCLUSIONS iPad measures of NPC were highly correlated with clinical measures, while visual acuity measured with the iPad showed modest correlation. Nonetheless, the suite of visual assessments provide value as screening tools, and when used in combination with reading fluency assessment and self-reported CI may be effective in identifying visual dysfunction following mild traumatic brain injury.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan M Linder
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Mandy Miller Koop
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Diane Tucker
- Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Karen Guzi
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.,Case Western Reserve University School of Nursing, Samson Pavilion, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA
| | - Daniel C Gray
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
| | - Jay L Alberts
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA.,Department of biomedical engineering and the center for Neurologic Restoration, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA
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Rehabilitation of visual disorders. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2021; 178:361-386. [PMID: 33832686 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-12-821377-3.00015-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
While there is a long history of rehabilitation for motor deficits following cerebral lesions, less is known about our ability to improve visual deficits. Vision therapy, prisms, occluders, and filters have been advocated for patients with mild traumatic brain injury, on the premise that some of their symptoms may reflect abnormal visual or ocular motor function, but the evidence for their efficacy is modest. For hemianopia, attempts to restore vision have had unimpressive results, though it appears possible to generate blindsight through training. Strategic approaches that train more efficient use of visual search in hemianopia have shown consistent benefit in visual function, while prism aids may help some patients. There are many varieties of alexia. Strategic adaptation of saccades can improve hemianopic alexia, but there has been less work and mixed results for pure alexia, neglect dyslexia, attentional dyslexia, and the central dyslexias. A number of approaches have been tried in prosopagnosia, with recent studies of small groups suggesting that face perception of prosopagnosic subjects can be enhanced through perceptual learning.
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Lugo GJ, Beletanga M, Goldstein L, Rana M, Jonas R, Torres AR. Assessment and Treatment of Concussion in the Pediatric Population. Semin Neurol 2021; 41:132-146. [PMID: 33657625 DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1725135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is common in children. The evaluation and management of children with TBI is based on the research performed in adults. There is a relative paucity of research in the literature involving children and many of the practice recommendations for this age are based on expert opinion in the absence of good research studies in both sports and non-sports-related injuries. The pediatric population is heterogeneous and the approach might be specific for infants, preschoolers, school age children, and adolescents. Children may also suffer from neurodevelopmental disabilities, making their evaluation even more challenging. Adult neurologists are often asked to see children due to increasing demands. This review will focus on specific issues related to TBI in children that might be useful to adult neurologists. Science, however, is evolving rapidly and physicians should make sure to remain up to date to offer evidence-based services to their patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giancarlo J Lugo
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Maria Beletanga
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Laura Goldstein
- Division of Child Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Mandeep Rana
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Rinat Jonas
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alcy R Torres
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Boston Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts.,Pediatric Brain Injury Program, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
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Oldham JR, Meehan WP, Howell DR. Impaired eye tracking is associated with symptom severity but not dynamic postural control in adolescents following concussion. JOURNAL OF SPORT AND HEALTH SCIENCE 2021; 10:138-144. [PMID: 33130092 PMCID: PMC7987563 DOI: 10.1016/j.jshs.2020.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE The purpose of the study was to (1) examine the relationship between self-reported symptoms and concussion-related eye tracking impairments, and (2) compare gait performance between (a) adolescents with a concussion who have normal eye tracking, (b) adolescents with a concussion who have abnormal eye tracking, and (c) healthy controls. METHODS A total of 30 concussed participants (age: 14.4 ± 2.2 years, mean ± SD, 50% female) and 30 controls (age: 14.2 ± 2.2 years, 47% female) completed eye tracking and gait assessments. The BOX score is a metric of pupillary disconjugacy, with scores <10 classified as normal and ≥10 abnormal. Symptoms were collected using the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS), and gait speed was measured with triaxial inertial measurement units. We conducted a linear regression to examine the relationship between PCSS and BOX scores and a two-way mixed effects analysis of variance to examine the effect of group (abnormal BOX, normal BOX, and healthy control) on single- and dual-task gait speed. RESULTS There was a significant association between total PCSS score and BOX score in the concussion group (β = 0.16, p = 0.004, 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 0.06‒0.27), but not in the control group (β = 0.21, p = 0.08, 95%CI: -0.03 to 0.45). There were no significant associations between PCSS symptom profiles and BOX scores in the concussion or control groups. There were also no significant differences in single-task (Abnormal: 1.00 ± 0.14 m/s; Normal: 1.11 ± 0.21 m/s; Healthy: 1.14 ± 0.18 m/s; p = 0.08) or dual-task (Abnormal: 0.77 ± 0.15 m/s; Normal: 0.84 ± 0.21 m/s; Healthy: 0.90 ± 0.18 m/s; p = 0.16) gait speed. CONCLUSION The concussed group with impaired eye tracking reported higher total symptom severity, as well as worse symptom severity across the 5 PCSS symptom domain profiles. However, eye tracking deficits did not appear to be driven by any particular symptom domain. While not statistically significant, the slower gait speeds in those with abnormal BOX scores may still be clinically relevant since gait-related impairments may persist beyond clinical recovery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessie R Oldham
- The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention, Waltham, MA 02453, USA; Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - William P Meehan
- The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention, Waltham, MA 02453, USA; Division of Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopedics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Pediatrics and Orthopedics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - David R Howell
- Sports Medicine Center, Children's Hospital Colorado, Aurora, CO 80045, USA; Department of Orthopedics, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO 80045, USA
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Rizzo JR, Hudson TE, Martone J, Dai W, Ihionu O, Chaudhry Y, Selesnick I, Balcer LJ, Galetta SL, Rucker JC. How sandbag-able are concussion sideline assessments? A close look at eye movements to uncover strategies. Brain Inj 2021; 35:426-435. [PMID: 33529094 DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2021.1878554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
Background: Sideline diagnostic tests for concussion are vulnerable to volitional poor performance ("sandbagging") on baseline assessments, motivated by desire to subvert concussion detection and potential removal from play. We investigated eye movements during sandbagging versus best effort on the King-Devick (KD) test, a rapid automatized naming (RAN) task.Methods: Participants performed KD testing during oculography following instructions to sandbag or give best effort.Results: Twenty healthy participants without concussion history were included (mean age 27 ± 8 years). Sandbagging resulted in longer test times (89.6 ± 39.2 s vs 48.2 ± 8.5 s, p < .001), longer inter-saccadic intervals (459.5 ± 125.4 ms vs 311.2 ± 79.1 ms, p < .001) and greater numbers of saccades (171.4 ± 47 vs 138 ± 24.2, p < .001) and reverse saccades (wrong direction for reading) (21.2% vs 11.3%, p < .001). Sandbagging was detectable using a logistic model with KD times as the only predictor, though more robustly detectable using eye movement metrics.Conclusions: KD sandbagging results in eye movement differences that are detectable by eye movement recordings and suggest an invalid test score. Objective eye movement recording during the KD test shows promise for distinguishing between best effort and post-injury performance, as well as for identifying sandbagging red flags.
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Affiliation(s)
- John-Ross Rizzo
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY, United States
| | - Todd E Hudson
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - John Martone
- Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Weiwei Dai
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY, United States
| | - Oluchi Ihionu
- Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Yash Chaudhry
- Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Ivan Selesnick
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, NYU Tandon School of Engineering, New York, NY, United States
| | - Laura J Balcer
- Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Population Health, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Steven L Galetta
- Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
| | - Janet C Rucker
- Department of Neurology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States.,Department of Ophthalmology, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States
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Brown WD, Baird J, Kriz PK. A Battery of Easily Accessible, Simple Tools for the Assessment of Concussion in Children. J Pediatr 2021; 229:232-239.e1. [PMID: 33068568 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpeds.2020.10.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/05/2020] [Revised: 10/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine whether a non-proprietary, novel testing battery can identify recently concussed children within 8 weeks of injury. STUDY DESIGN In total, 568 clinic outpatients aged 10-18 years were sorted into 3 groups: 316 had never been concussed, 162 had ever been concussed before 8 weeks earlier, and 90 had been recently concussed within 8 weeks. At initial and any subsequent visits, a neurologic examination and 4 procedures were performed: Stick Drop, Wall Ball, Sharpened Modified Romberg (SMR), and Animal Naming. Analysis included inter-group and intra-person performance differences using a series of t tests on the Stick Drop, Wall Ball, SMR, and Animal Naming. RESULTS The recently concussed group performed worse (P < .01 for all) on Stick Drop, total Wall Ball bounces and drops, and SMR compared with never-concussed and ever-concussed groups. This effect for Stick Drop, SMR, and Wall Ball but not Animal Naming persisted beyond the 4 weeks commonly stated to define recovery. Of 59 recently concussed subjects who returned for ≥1 visit, there were improvements in Stick Drop average (P = .004) and maxima (P = .02) as well as SMR (P = .01) but not Animal Naming between initial and subsequent visits. CONCLUSIONS This novel, rapid testing battery distinguished groups of children ages 10-18 years who had and had not experienced a recent concussion. A view that physical concussion symptoms resolve within a month of injury may be incomplete. Deployment of this readily available, inexpensive and non-proprietary battery should be compared with other tools and studied further in serial assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- William D Brown
- Department of Pediatrics, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Neurology, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI.
| | - Janette Baird
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Peter K Kriz
- Department of Pediatrics, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI; Department of Orthopedics, Hasbro Children's Hospital/Rhode Island Hospital, Alpert School of Medicine at Brown University, Providence, RI
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Kornguth S, Rylander HG, Smith S, Campbell J, Steffensen S, Arnold D, Athey A, Rutledge JN. Approaches for Monitoring Warfighter Blast-related Exposures in Training to Develop Effective Safety Standards. Mil Med 2021; 186:515-522. [PMID: 33499537 PMCID: PMC7980484 DOI: 10.1093/milmed/usaa426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2020] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/01/2020] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Traumatic brain injuries are of concern to the sports and military communities because of the age of the participants and costly burden to society. To markedly reduce the impact of traumatic brain injury and its sequela (TBI-S), it is necessary to determine the initial vulnerability of individuals as well as identify new technologies that indicate early signs of TBI-S. MATERIALS AND METHODS Currently, diverse methods have been used by the authors and others in laboratory settings to reveal early signs of persistent TBI-S including simulation modeling of the effect of rapid deceleration on the deviatoric strain (shear force) imposed on specific brain regions, auditory evoked potential (AEP) measurements to determine injury to the auditory cortex optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) measures sensitive to vestibular trauma, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) measures that reveal changes in central visual function obtained noninvasively by examination of the retina. RESULTS Simulation studies provided technical information on maximal deviatoric strain at the base of the sulci and interface of gray and white matter consistent with results from neuropathology and from magnetic resonance imaging. The AEP and OKN reveal measurable injury to similar regions below the Sylvian fissure including auditory cortex and midbrain, and the OCT reveals changes to the retina consistent with forceful deceleration effects. CONCLUSIONS The studies and results are consistent with prior work demonstrating that noninvasive tests may be sensitive to the presence of TBI-S, potentially in the training field as advances in the portability of test instruments are underway. When combined with baseline data gathered from individuals in quantitative form, key variances can emerge. Therefore, it is hypothesized that AEP, OKN, and OCT, taken together, may yield faster objective and quantitative neurophysiological measures serving as a "signature" of neural injury and more indicative of potentially persistent TBI-S-recommending larger scale longitudinal studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steven Kornguth
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Henry G Rylander
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Spencer Smith
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Julia Campbell
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Steve Steffensen
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Alex Athey
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - J Neal Rutledge
- Department of Neurology, The University of Texas Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
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Abstract
Alexia refers to a reading disorder caused by some form of acquired brain pathology, most commonly a stroke or tumor, in a previously literate subject. In neuropsychology, a distinction is made between central alexia (commonly seen in aphasia) and peripheral alexia (a perceptual or attentional deficit). The prototypical peripheral alexia is alexia without agraphia (pure alexia), where patients can write but are impaired in reading words and letters. Pure alexia is associated with damage to the left ventral occipitotemporal cortex (vOT) or its connections. Hemianopic alexia is associated with less extensive occipital damage and is caused by a visual field defect, which creates problems reading longer words and passages of text. Reading impairment can also arise due to attentional deficits, most commonly following right hemisphere or bilateral lesions. Studying patients with alexia, along with functional imaging studies of normal readers, has improved our understanding of the neurobiological processes involved in reading. A key question is whether an area in the left ventral occipitotemporal cortex is specialized for or selectively involved in word processing, or whether reading relies on tuning of more general purpose perceptual areas. Reading deficits may also be observed in dementia and traumatic brain injury, but often with less consistent deficit patterns than in patients with focal lesions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Randi Starrfelt
- Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.
| | - Zoe Woodhead
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
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Gunasekaran P, Fraser CL, Hodge C. The learning effect of the King-Devick test in semi-professional rugby union athletes. J Neurol Sci 2020; 419:117168. [PMID: 33038568 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.117168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2020] [Revised: 09/21/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Abnormalities of eye movement and visual processing are common in traumatic brain injury. The King-Devick test (KDT) has been widely used in the detection and recovery of concussion. Current recommendations propose performing the initial test at baseline and then repeating annually to account for potential learning effects. In practice, this may still account for large deviations. The aim of this study was to determine the number of trials needed for a player to achieve a ceiling effect and to determine the validity of the existing protocol requiring two tests at baseline. METHODS One hundred and eighty-three semi-professional male rugby union players (median age = 22.5 (21.0-25.3) years) were recruited. Over the duration, all athletes performed the KDT on an iPad, under standardised baseline procedures and then repeated the test based on availability during weekly in-season training. RESULTS The improvement through each repeated trial was 0.60 ± 0.1 s (P < 0.001). The ceiling effect was determined at 30 trials. A median difference of 4.2 s (range 0-14.9) was calculated between the initial and best trial overall, although the greatest difference occurred within the first eight attempts. There was a significant positive correlation between the initial test value and the difference between first and fastest time (P < 0.001, r = 0.455). CONCLUSION We have shown continuous improvement with repeated attempts which suggests that administrators ideally should continue to perform the KDT over the duration of the season to optimise the value of the test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Premkumar Gunasekaran
- Discipline of Orthoptics, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Clare L Fraser
- Save Sight Institute, Discipline of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Christopher Hodge
- Discipline of Orthoptics, Graduate School of Health, University of Technology Sydney, NSW, Australia; Save Sight Institute, Discipline of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Abstract
This article provides a summary of clinical assessment methods and nonpharmacologic rehabilitation techniques used for concussed patients. It describes concussion-relevant physical examination methods to identify underlying symptom generators. This approach allows practitioners to prescribe targeted rehabilitation therapies to treat postconcussion symptoms. Evidence-based rehabilitation approaches include cervical rehabilitation, vestibulo-ocular rehabilitation, and sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise.
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Hunfalvay M, Murray NP, Roberts CM, Tyagi A, Barclay KW, Carrick FR. Oculomotor Behavior as a Biomarker for Differentiating Pediatric Patients With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Age Matched Controls. Front Behav Neurosci 2020; 14:581819. [PMID: 33281574 PMCID: PMC7690212 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2020.581819] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Children have the highest incidence of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) in the United States. However, mTBI, specifically pediatric patients with mTBI, are notoriously difficult to detect, and with a reliance on traditional, subjective measurements of eye movements, the subtle but key oculomotor deficits are often missed. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this project is to determine if the combined measurement of saccades, smooth pursuit, fixations and reaction time represent a biomarker for differentiating pediatric patients with mild traumatic brain injury compared to age matched controls. DESIGN This study used cross-sectional design. Each participant took part in a suite of tests collectively labeled the "Brain Health EyeQ" to measure saccades, smooth pursuit, fixations and reaction time. PARTICIPANTS The present study recruited 231 participants - 91 clinically diagnosed with a single incident mTBI in the last 2 days as assessed by both the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and Graded Symptoms Checklist (GSC), and 140 age and gender-matched controls (n = 165 male, n = 66 female, M age = 14.20, SD = 2.78). RESULTS One-way univariate analyses of variance examined the differences in performance on the tests between participants with mTBI and controls. ROC curve analysis examined the sensitivity and specificity of the tests. Results indicated that together, the "Brain Health EyeQ" tests were successfully able to identify participants with mTBI 75.3% of the time, providing further validation to a growing body of literature supporting the use of eye tracking technology for mTBI identification and diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nicholas P. Murray
- Department of Kinesiology, East Carolina University, Greensville, NC, United States
| | - Claire-Marie Roberts
- Health and Social Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Frederick Robert Carrick
- Centre for Mental Health Research in association with University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
- College of Medicine, University of Central Florida, Orlando, FL, United States
- MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, MA, United States
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