Injury severity and neuropsychological and balance outcomes of four college athletes

Abstract

Recent evidence suggests significant short-term neurocognitive deficits following mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI) in sports. However, sequelae of mild head injuries is complicated by many factors including a history of multiple head injuries and injury severity. Few studies have considered the influence these variables may have on proper classification of a MTBI and their meaning for return-to-play guidelines. This study presents the short-term neuropsychological and balance outcomes of four college athletes who sustained mild head injuries of different severity (grade I, grade II, grade III and multiple head injured with a grade II based on American Academy of Neurology guidelines). The results demonstrated that self-report symptoms of concussion were slow to resolve in the grade III and multiple concussed individuals. For neuropsychological testing, Trails A & B, Symbol Digit Modalities Test and Digits Span Backwards were the most sensitive in identifying differences between the injuries. For balance assessments using the Neurocom Smart Balance System, the Sensory Organization Test and Reaction Time were also important variables in detecting differences among the various injuries. When these data are used together, it can assist physicians in determining safe return-to-play for athletes who sustain MTBI. There are contradindications in the numerous grading systems and return-to-play guidelines for MTBI. The results from this study provides new evidence which can be assimilated into a valid grading scale for MTBI sustained in sport.

Shannon and Renyi Entropies to Classify Effects of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury on Postural Sway

“…It is one of several recommended tools for determining readiness to resume competitive activity among athletes [16]. Previous research has suggested that athletes with postural instability after concussion return to their baseline levels of postural steadiness performance within about 3 days often despite still being symptomatic [17]–[20]. This suggests that either (a) neurophysiological impairments affecting postural control are not necessarily a predictable consequence of injury, or (b) more sensitive analyses of postural instability may be required.…”

Sporcularda Travmatik Beyin Hasarı Riskinin Değerlendirilmesi: Aktif Boksörlerde Nöropsikolojik Bir İnceleme

“…This may have been caused by the punches to the head area received by the boxers during the match. Mrazik et al (2000), in their research conducted for college athletes at the University of Georgia, included athletes with a high risk of concussion in their study. As a result, it was determined that the SDMT performances of athletes with a higher number of concussions were poor.…”

Individual Baseline Balance Assessments in a Large Sample of Incoming NCAA Division I Athletes Using a Force Plate System

“…Assessments of postural control after a concussion often highlight transient deficits in an individual's ability to integrate the sensory components necessary for maintaining balance. 3,4 Sensory integration and balance deficits have been reported among concussed athletes, [5][6][7] and collectively suggest that brain regions responsible for coordinating sensory and vestibular modalities may be disrupted following sport-related concussion. 8 Making accurate evaluations of balance disturbances post-injury may be compromised without an accurate preinjury comparison.…”