Citation

Ellingson CJ, Singh J, Ellingson CA, Sirant LW, Krätzig GP, Dorsch KD, Piskorski J, Neary JP. Life (Basel) 2022; 12(9): e1400.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publications Institute)

DOI

10.3390/life12091400

PMID

36143435

Abstract

Current methods to diagnose concussions are subjective and difficult to confirm. A variety of physiological biomarkers have been reported, but with conflicting results. This study assessed heart rate variability (HRV), spontaneous baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), and systolic blood pressure variability (BPV) in concussed athletes. The assessment consisted of a 5-min seated rest followed by a 5-min (0.1 Hz) controlled breathing protocol. Thirty participants completed baseline assessments. The protocol was repeated during the post-injury acute phase (days one to five). Total (p = 0.02) and low-frequency (p = 0.009) BPV spectral power were significantly decreased during the acute phase of concussion. BRS down-sequence (p = 0.036) and up-sequence (p = 0.05) were significantly increased in the acute phase of concussion, with a trend towards an increased BRS pooled (p = 0.06). Significant decreases in HRV were also found. Acute concussion resulted in altered BRS and BPV dynamics compared to baseline. These findings highlight objective physiological parameters that could aid concussion diagnosis and return-to-play protocols.

Language: en

Keywords

mild traumatic brain injury; autonomic nervous system; heart rate variability; arterial baroreflex; brain injuries