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Abdollah V, Noamani A, Ralston J, Ho C, Rouhani H. Effect of test duration and sensor location on the reliability of standing balance parameters derived using body-mounted accelerometers. Biomed Eng Online 2024; 23:2. [PMID: 38167089 PMCID: PMC10763154 DOI: 10.1186/s12938-023-01196-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Balance parameters derived from wearable sensor measurements during postural sway have been shown to be sensitive to experimental variables such as test duration, sensor number, and sensor location that influence the magnitude and frequency-related properties of measured center-of-mass (COM) and center-of-pressure (COP) excursions. In this study, we investigated the effects of test duration, the number of sensors, and sensor location on the reliability of standing balance parameters derived using body-mounted accelerometers. METHODS Twelve volunteers without any prior history of balance disorders were enrolled in the study. They were asked to perform two 2-min quiet standing tests with two different testing conditions (eyes open and eyes closed). Five inertial measurement units (IMUs) were employed to capture postural sway data from each participant. IMUs were attached to the participants' right legs, the second sacral vertebra, sternum, and the left mastoid processes. Balance parameters of interest were calculated for the single head, sternum, and sacrum accelerometers, as well as, a three-sensor combination (leg, sacrum, and sternum). Accelerometer data were used to estimate COP-based and COM-based balance parameters during quiet standing. To examine the effect of test duration and sensor location, each 120-s recording from different sensor locations was segmented into 20-, 30-, 40-, 50-, 60-, 70-, 80-, 90-, 100-, and 110-s intervals. For each of these time intervals, time- and frequency-domain balance parameters were calculated for all sensor locations. RESULTS Most COM-based and COP-based balance parameters could be derived reliably for clinical applications (Intraclass-Correlation Coefficient, ICC ≥ 0.90) with a minimum test duration of 70 and 110 s, respectively. The exceptions were COP-based parameters obtained using a sacrum-mounted sensor, especially in the eyes-closed condition, which could not be reliably used for clinical applications even with a 120-s test duration. CONCLUSIONS Most standing balance parameters can be reliably measured using a single head- or sternum-mounted sensor within a 120-s test duration. For other sensor locations, the minimum test duration may be longer and may depend on the specific test conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Abdollah
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Alireza Noamani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | | | - Chester Ho
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
- Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Hossein Rouhani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
- Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital, Edmonton, AB, Canada.
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Sozzi S, Ghai S, Schieppati M. The 'Postural Rhythm' of the Ground Reaction Force during Upright Stance and Its Conversion to Body Sway-The Effect of Vision, Support Surface and Adaptation to Repeated Trials. Brain Sci 2023; 13:978. [PMID: 37508910 PMCID: PMC10377030 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci13070978] [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: 05/11/2023] [Revised: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
The ground reaction force (GRF) recorded by a platform when a person stands upright lies at the interface between the neural networks controlling stance and the body sway deduced from centre of pressure (CoP) displacement. It can be decomposed into vertical (VGRF) and horizontal (HGRF) vectors. Few studies have addressed the modulation of the GRFs by the sensory conditions and their relationship with body sway. We reconsidered the features of the GRFs oscillations in healthy young subjects (n = 24) standing for 90 s, with the aim of characterising the possible effects of vision, support surface and adaptation to repeated trials, and the correspondence between HGRF and CoP time-series. We compared the frequency spectra of these variables with eyes open or closed on solid support surface (EOS, ECS) and on foam (EOF, ECF). All stance trials were repeated in a sequence of eight. Conditions were randomised across different days. The oscillations of the VGRF, HGRF and CoP differed between each other, as per the dominant frequency of their spectra (around 4 Hz, 0.8 Hz and <0.4 Hz, respectively) featuring a low-pass filter effect from VGRF to HGRF to CoP. GRF frequencies hardly changed as a function of the experimental conditions, including adaptation. CoP frequencies diminished to <0.2 Hz when vision was available on hard support surface. Amplitudes of both GRFs and CoP oscillations decreased in the order ECF > EOF > ECS ≈ EOS. Adaptation had no effect except in ECF condition. Specific rhythms of the GRFs do not transfer to the CoP frequency, whereas the magnitude of the forces acting on the ground ultimately determines body sway. The discrepancies in the time-series of the HGRF and CoP oscillations confirm that the body's oscillation mode cannot be dictated by the inverted pendulum model in any experimental conditions. The findings emphasise the robustness of the VGRF "postural rhythm" and its correspondence with the cortical theta rhythm, shed new insight on current principles of balance control and on understanding of upright stance in healthy and elderly people as well as on injury prevention and rehabilitation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Shashank Ghai
- Department of Political, Historical, Religious and Cultural Studies, Karlstad University, 65188 Karlstad, Sweden
- Centre for Societal Risk Research, Karlstad University, 65188 Karlstad, Sweden
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Andò B, Baglio S, Graziani S, Marletta V, Dibilio V, Mostile G, Zappia M. A Comparison among Different Strategies to Detect Potential Unstable Behaviors in Postural Sway. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:7106. [PMID: 36236223 PMCID: PMC9572117 DOI: 10.3390/s22197106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 09/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Assistive Technology helps to assess the daily living and safety of frail people, with particular regards to the detection and prevention of falls. In this paper, a comparison is provided among different strategies to analyze postural sway, with the aim of detecting unstable postural status in standing condition as precursors of potential falls. Three approaches are considered: (i) a time-based features threshold algorithm, (ii) a time-based features Neuro-Fuzzy inference system, and (iii) a Neuro-Fuzzy inference fed by Discrete-Wavelet-Transform-based features. The analysis was performed across a wide dataset and exploited performance indexes aimed at assessing the accuracy and the reliability of predictions provided by the above-mentioned strategies. The results obtained demonstrate valuable performances of the three considered strategies in correctly distinguishing among stable and unstable postural status. However, the analysis of robustness against noisy data highlights better performance of Neuro-Fuzzy inference systems with respect to the threshold-based algorithm.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Andò
- Department of Electric Electronic and Information Engineering, DIEEI, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Baglio
- Department of Electric Electronic and Information Engineering, DIEEI, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Salvatore Graziani
- Department of Electric Electronic and Information Engineering, DIEEI, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Marletta
- Department of Electric Electronic and Information Engineering, DIEEI, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Valeria Dibilio
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
| | - Giovanni Mostile
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
- Oasi Research Institute—IRCCS, 94018 Troina, Italy
| | - Mario Zappia
- Department of Medical, Surgical Sciences and Advanced Technologies “GF Ingrassia”, University of Catania, 95100 Catania, Italy
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McDevitt S, Hernandez H, Hicks J, Lowell R, Bentahaikt H, Burch R, Ball J, Chander H, Freeman C, Taylor C, Anderson B. Wearables for Biomechanical Performance Optimization and Risk Assessment in Industrial and Sports Applications. Bioengineering (Basel) 2022; 9:33. [PMID: 35049742 PMCID: PMC8772827 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering9010033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Wearable technologies are emerging as a useful tool with many different applications. While these devices are worn on the human body and can capture numerous data types, this literature review focuses specifically on wearable use for performance enhancement and risk assessment in industrial- and sports-related biomechanical applications. Wearable devices such as exoskeletons, inertial measurement units (IMUs), force sensors, and surface electromyography (EMG) were identified as key technologies that can be used to aid health and safety professionals, ergonomists, and human factors practitioners improve user performance and monitor risk. IMU-based solutions were the most used wearable types in both sectors. Industry largely used biomechanical wearables to assess tasks and risks wholistically, which sports often considered the individual components of movement and performance. Availability, cost, and adoption remain common limitation issues across both sports and industrial applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sam McDevitt
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39765, USA; (S.M.); (H.H.); (J.B.)
| | - Haley Hernandez
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39765, USA; (S.M.); (H.H.); (J.B.)
| | - Jamison Hicks
- Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39765, USA; (J.H.); (R.B.)
| | - Russell Lowell
- Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39765, USA; (R.L.); (H.C.)
| | - Hamza Bentahaikt
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39765, USA;
| | - Reuben Burch
- Department of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39765, USA; (J.H.); (R.B.)
- Human Factors & Athlete Engineering, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39765, USA
| | - John Ball
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39765, USA; (S.M.); (H.H.); (J.B.)
- Human Factors & Athlete Engineering, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39765, USA
| | - Harish Chander
- Neuromechanics Laboratory, Department of Kinesiology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39765, USA; (R.L.); (H.C.)
- Human Factors & Athlete Engineering, Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39765, USA
| | - Charles Freeman
- Department of Human Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39765, USA
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Phybrata Sensors and Machine Learning for Enhanced Neurophysiological Diagnosis and Treatment. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21217417. [PMID: 34770729 PMCID: PMC8587627 DOI: 10.3390/s21217417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2021] [Revised: 11/03/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Concussion injuries remain a significant public health challenge. A significant unmet clinical need remains for tools that allow related physiological impairments and longer-term health risks to be identified earlier, better quantified, and more easily monitored over time. We address this challenge by combining a head-mounted wearable inertial motion unit (IMU)-based physiological vibration acceleration (“phybrata”) sensor and several candidate machine learning (ML) models. The performance of this solution is assessed for both binary classification of concussion patients and multiclass predictions of specific concussion-related neurophysiological impairments. Results are compared with previously reported approaches to ML-based concussion diagnostics. Using phybrata data from a previously reported concussion study population, four different machine learning models (Support Vector Machine, Random Forest Classifier, Extreme Gradient Boost, and Convolutional Neural Network) are first investigated for binary classification of the test population as healthy vs. concussion (Use Case 1). Results are compared for two different data preprocessing pipelines, Time-Series Averaging (TSA) and Non-Time-Series Feature Extraction (NTS). Next, the three best-performing NTS models are compared in terms of their multiclass prediction performance for specific concussion-related impairments: vestibular, neurological, both (Use Case 2). For Use Case 1, the NTS model approach outperformed the TSA approach, with the two best algorithms achieving an F1 score of 0.94. For Use Case 2, the NTS Random Forest model achieved the best performance in the testing set, with an F1 score of 0.90, and identified a wider range of relevant phybrata signal features that contributed to impairment classification compared with manual feature inspection and statistical data analysis. The overall classification performance achieved in the present work exceeds previously reported approaches to ML-based concussion diagnostics using other data sources and ML models. This study also demonstrates the first combination of a wearable IMU-based sensor and ML model that enables both binary classification of concussion patients and multiclass predictions of specific concussion-related neurophysiological impairments.
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Abdollah V, Dief TN, Ralston J, Ho C, Rouhani H. Investigating the validity of a single tri-axial accelerometer mounted on the head for monitoring the activities of daily living and the timed-up and go test. Gait Posture 2021; 90:137-140. [PMID: 34481263 DOI: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2021.08.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Quantitative assessments of activities of daily living (ADL) play an essential role in evaluating the impact of disease and interventions on people's quality of life. Motion capture systems traditionally used for quantitative assessments of postural transitions and movement associated with ADL are limited to the laboratory setting. Wearable accelerometers can remove these limitations and enable easier-to-use, longer-term, and remote functional evaluations. OBJECTIVE To investigate the validity of a single tri-axial accelerometer mounted on the head for monitoring postural transition and the timed-up-and-go test. METHODS Two accelerometers with a sampling frequency of 100 Hz were attached to twelve able-bodied study participants' sternum and right mastoid process. We developed algorithms for the functional calibration of accelerometers and the detection of the postural transitions by measuring the head inclination angle and variations of the gravitational components of the accelerometer readout. Participants performed a battery of ADL tests involving a wide variety of postural transitions. The head-mounted accelerometers results were compared with a sternum-mounted accelerometer and validated against a video motion capture system as a gold standard reference. RESULTS AND SIGNIFICANCE The results indicate that, utilizing our proposed algorithm, a single tri-axial accelerometer mounted on the head can deliver high accuracy (>95 %), sensitivity (>90 %), and specificity (100 %) for detecting both postural transitions and walking events. Together with the small size and unobtrusive placement of the head-mounted accelerometer, these results demonstrate an attractive solution for the reliable assessment of ADLs and clinical evaluations based on functional tests such as the timed-up-and-go test.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vahid Abdollah
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada; Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tarek N Dief
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - John Ralston
- PROTXX Medical Ltd. 120, 4838 Richard Road SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Chester Ho
- Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Hossein Rouhani
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
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Internal Consistency of Sway Measures via Embedded Head-Mounted Accelerometers: Implications for Neuromotor Investigations. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21134492. [PMID: 34209391 PMCID: PMC8271381 DOI: 10.3390/s21134492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Accelerometers are being increasingly incorporated into neuroimaging devices to enable real-time filtering of movement artifacts. In this study, we evaluate the reliability of sway metrics derived from these accelerometers in a standard eyes-open balance assessment to determine their utility in multimodal study designs. Ten participants equipped with a head-mounted accelerometer performed an eyes-open standing condition on 7 consecutive days. Sway performance was quantified with 4 standard metrics: root-mean-square (RMS) acceleration, peak-to-peak (P2P) acceleration, jerk, and ellipse area. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) quantified reliability. P2P in both the mediolateral (ICC = 0.65) and anteroposterior (ICC = 0.67) planes yielded the poorest reliability. Both ellipse area and RMS exhibited good reliability, ranging from 0.76 to 0.84 depending on the plane. Finally, jerk displayed the highest reliability with an ICC value of 0.95. Moderate to excellent reliability was observed in all sway metrics. These findings demonstrate that head-mounted accelerometers, commonly found in neuroimaging devices, can be used to reliably assess sway. These data validate the use of head-mounted accelerometers in the assessment of motor control alongside other measures of brain activity such as electroencephalography (EEG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
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Biegon A. Considering Biological Sex in Traumatic Brain Injury. Front Neurol 2021; 12:576366. [PMID: 33643182 PMCID: PMC7902907 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.576366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2020] [Accepted: 01/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Published epidemiological studies of traumatic brain injury (TBI) of all severities consistently report higher incidence in men. Recent increases in the participation of women in sports and active military service as well as increasing awareness of the very large number of women who sustain but do not report TBI as a result of intimate partner violence (IPV) suggest that the number of women with TBI is significantly larger than previously believed. Women are also grossly under-represented in clinical and natural history studies of TBI, most of which include relatively small numbers of women, ignore the role of sex- and age-related gonadal hormone levels, and report conflicting results. The emerging picture from recent studies powered to detect effects of biological sex as well as age (as a surrogate of hormonal status) suggest young (i.e., premenopausal) women are more likely to die from TBI relative to men of the same age group, but this is reversed in the 6th and 7th decades of life, coinciding with postmenopausal status in women. New data from concussion studies in young male and female athletes extend this finding to mild TBI, since female athletes who sustained mild TBI are significantly more likely to report more symptoms than males. Studies including information on gonadal hormone status at the time of injury are still too scarce and small to draw reliable conclusions, so there is an urgent need to include biological sex and gonadal hormone status in the design and analysis of future studies of TBI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anat Biegon
- Department of Radiology and Neurology, Stony Brook University School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY, United States
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Ralston JD, Raina A, Benson BW, Peters RM, Roper JM, Ralston AB. Physiological Vibration Acceleration (Phybrata) Sensor Assessment of Multi-System Physiological Impairments and Sensory Reweighting Following Concussion. MEDICAL DEVICES-EVIDENCE AND RESEARCH 2020; 13:411-438. [PMID: 33324120 PMCID: PMC7733539 DOI: 10.2147/mder.s279521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective To assess the utility of a head-mounted wearable inertial motion unit (IMU)-based physiological vibration acceleration (“phybrata”) sensor to support the clinical diagnosis of concussion, classify and quantify specific concussion-induced physiological system impairments and sensory reweighting, and track individual patient recovery trajectories. Methods Data were analyzed from 175 patients over a 12-month period at three clinical sites. Comprehensive clinical concussion assessments were first completed for all patients, followed by testing with the phybrata sensor. Phybrata time series data and spatial scatter plots, eyes open (Eo) and eyes closed (Ec) phybrata powers, average power (Eo+Ec)/2, Ec/Eo phybrata power ratio, time-resolved phybrata spectral density (TRPSD) distributions, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves are compared for individuals with no objective impairments and those clinically diagnosed with concussions and accompanying vestibular impairment, other neurological impairment, or both vestibular and neurological impairments. Finally, pre- and post-injury phybrata case report results are presented for a participant who was diagnosed with a concussion and subsequently monitored during treatment, rehabilitation, and return-to-activity clearance. Results Phybrata data demonstrate distinct features and patterns for individuals with no discernable clinical impairments, diagnosed vestibular pathology, and diagnosed neurological pathology. ROC curves indicate that the average power (Eo+Ec)/2 may be utilized to support clinical diagnosis of concussion, while Eo and Ec/Eo may be utilized as independent measures to confirm accompanying neurological and vestibular impairments, respectively. All 3 measures demonstrate area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity above 90% for their respective diagnoses. Phybrata spectral analyses demonstrate utility for quantifying the severity of concussion-induced physiological impairments, sensory reweighting, and subsequent monitoring of improvements throughout treatment and rehabilitation. Conclusion Phybrata testing assists with objective concussion diagnosis and provides an important adjunct to standard concussion assessment tools by objectively ascertaining neurological and vestibular impairments, guiding targeted rehabilitation strategies, monitoring recovery, and assisting with return-to-sport/work/learn decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashutosh Raina
- Center of Excellence for Pediatric Neurology, Rocklin, CA 95765, USA.,Concussion Medical Clinic, Rocklin, CA 95765, USA
| | - Brian W Benson
- Benson Concussion Institute, Calgary, Alberta T3B 6B7, Canada.,Canadian Sport Institute Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T3B 5R5, Canada
| | - Ryan M Peters
- Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada.,Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta T2N 1N4, Canada
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