Citation

Engelson MA, Bruns R, Nightingale CJ, Bardwell KM, Mason CA, Tu S, Nelson L, Butterfield SA. J. Chiropr. Med. 2017; 16(2): 163-169.

Affiliation

Department of Kinesiology, Physical Education, and Athletic Training, University of Maine, Orono, ME.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2017, National University of Health Sciences)

DOI

10.1016/j.jcm.2016.12.001

PMID

28559757

PMCID

PMC5440639

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to investigate correlations between OptoGait motion analysis technology and 2 commonly used concussion assessment instruments, the Balance Evaluation Scoring System (BESS) and the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) computerized neurocognitive assessment software, to see if OptoGait might be a valid concussion assessment tool.

METHODS: Twenty Division-1 college women varsity soccer players completed trials of 8 different conditions of the OptoGait test battery. Then participants completed the BESS and ImPACT tests. One hundred twenty-eight total spatiotemporal variables were recorded for each trial of OptoGait. Pearson's r correlations among these variables and BESS and ImPACT results were calculated, and pattern analysis was completed to evaluate for emergent patterns in the data.

RESULTS: Correlations for the 8 OptoGait mean-score subtests were related to the balance double-leg foam test (BESS). Correlations for the 8 OptoGait mean-score subtests were related to the balance double-leg foam test (BESS), and correlations between OptoGait standard deviation measures and the balance tandem hard surface test (BESS) both indicated potentially significant patterns. No consistent patterns of correlation existed between the OptoGait variables and the ImPACT results.

CONCLUSION: OptoGait conditions correlate at higher than predicted rates with subtests of the BESS instruments but not the ImPACT measures.

Language: en

Keywords

Brain Concussion; Head Injuries, Closed; Post-Concussion Syndrome; Validation Studies