Clinician-Prioritized Measures to Use in a Remote Concussion Assessment: Delphi Study.

BACKGROUND: There is little guidance available, and no uniform assessment battery is used in either in-person or remote evaluations of people who are experiencing persistent physical symptoms post concussion. Selecting the most appropriate measures for both in-person and remote physical assessments is challenging because of the lack of expert consensus and guidance. OBJECTIVE: This study used expert consensus processes to identify clinical measures currently used to assess 5 physical domains affected by concussion (neurological examination, cervical spine, vestibular, oculomotor, or effort) and determine the feasibility of applying the identified measures virtually. METHODS: The Delphi approach was used. In the first round, experienced clinicians were surveyed regarding using measures in concussion assessment. In the second round, clinicians reviewed information regarding the psychometric properties of all measures identified in the first round by at least 15% (9/58) of participants. In the second round, experts rank-ordered the measures from most relevant to least relevant based on their clinical experience and documented psychometric properties. A working group of 4 expert clinicians then determined the feasibility of virtually administering the final set of measures. RESULTS: In total, 59 clinicians completed survey round 1 listing all measures they used to assess the physical domains affected by a concussion. The frequency counts of the 146 different measures identified were determined. Further, 33 clinicians completed the second-round survey and rank-ordered 22 measures that met the 15% cutoff criterion retained from round 1. Measures ranked first were coordination, range of motion, vestibular ocular motor screening, and smooth pursuits. These measures were feasible to administer virtually by the working group members; however, modifications for remote administration were recommended, such as adjusting the measurement method. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians ranked assessment of coordination (finger-to-nose test and rapid alternating movement test), cervical spine range of motion, vestibular ocular motor screening, and smooth pursuits as the most relevant measures under their respective domains. Based on expert opinion, these clinical measures are considered feasible to administer for concussion physical examinations in the remote context, with modifications; however, the psychometric properties have yet to be explored. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): RR2-10.2196/40446.

Outcome measures used in adolescent sport-related concussion research: a scoping review.

OBJECTIVES: To provide an overview of the outcome measures currently used after sports-related concussion (SRC) in adolescents, categorising by the constructs they assess, follow-up duration and their feasibility of use. DESIGN: Scoping review. DATA SOURCES: We searched three electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE and CINAHL). We also undertook citation tracking of the included articles and searched for ongoing or unpublished trials using ClinicalTrials.gov and Theses Global. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Studies tracking concussion recovery in adolescent athletes. RESULTS: 15 782 records were identified. After initial title and abstract screening, we retrieved 87 studies for full-text screening, with 75 studies fulfilling the eligibility criteria and included in the review, comprising 13 107 participants (9480 male, 3615 female and 12 unreported), ranging in age from 5 to 19 years. 46 different outcome measures were used, with Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (n=42) and Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (n=21) the most common. Most outcome measures quantified aspects of sensorimotor function including balance, oculomotor function and cognition. Follow-up duration ranged from 7 days to 1 year. 60% of studies ceased follow-up assessments within 6 weeks post-SRC. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescent SRC literature uses a wide range of outcome measures. Most research quantifies cognitive/fatigue domains in the acute/subacute stages post-SRC, using male participants. Other key domains such as anxiety/mood, migraine and key modifiers (cervical and sleep disturbance) are less well represented in the literature. Many of the outcome measures used in current research are associated with high cost and require highly qualified examiners, creating barriers to their implementation in some adolescent sporting environments. STUDY REGISTRATION: https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/N937E.

Optimizing Concussion Care Seeking: Using Machine Learning to Predict Delayed Concussion Reporting.

BACKGROUND: Early medical attention after concussion may minimize symptom duration and burden; however, many concussions are undiagnosed or have a delay in diagnosis after injury. Many concussion symptoms (eg, headache, dizziness) are not visible, meaning that early identification is often contingent on individuals reporting their injury to medical staff. A fundamental understanding of the types and levels of factors that explain when concussions are reported can help identify promising directions for intervention. PURPOSE: To identify individual and institutional factors that predict immediate (vs delayed) injury reporting. STUDY DESIGN: Case-control study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: This study was a secondary analysis of data from the Concussion Assessment, Research and Education (CARE) Consortium study. The sample included 3213 collegiate athletes and military service academy cadets who were diagnosed with a concussion during the study period. Participants were from 27 civilian institutions and 3 military institutions in the United States. Machine learning techniques were used to build models predicting who would report an injury immediately after a concussive event (measured by an athletic trainer denoting the injury as being reported "immediately" or "at a delay"), including both individual athlete/cadet and institutional characteristics. RESULTS: In the sample as a whole, combining individual factors enabled prediction of reporting immediacy, with mean accuracies between 55.8% and 62.6%, depending on classifier type and sample subset; adding institutional factors improved reporting prediction accuracies by 1 to 6 percentage points. At the individual level, injury-related altered mental status and loss of consciousness were most predictive of immediate reporting, which may be the result of observable signs leading to the injury report being externally mediated. At the institutional level, important attributes included athletic department annual revenue and ratio of athletes to athletic trainers. CONCLUSION: Further study is needed on the pathways through which institutional decisions about resource allocation, including decisions about sports medicine staffing, may contribute to reporting immediacy. More broadly, the relatively low accuracy of the machine learning models tested suggests the importance of continued expansion in how reporting is understood and facilitated.

Concussions in Soccer.

The identification, management, and prevention of concussion across all competitive sports and athletic populations has been a notable topic of research over the last decade. Soccer is no exception, with over a billion participants worldwide. In soccer, 3 distinct subsets of head injuries are often the contributors to concussion: head-to-equipment, head-to-surface, and head-to-player collisions. Recognition of concussion is crucial, and ideally made on the sideline during competitive play. Recently updated screening tools include the SCAT6 and ChildSCAT6, which are widely utilized at all levels of play. Management of concussion is divided into on-field and in clinic management. Initial management includes removal from the field of play. There is increased emphasis on earlier incorporation of exercise prescription as a means to improve recovery in the concussed athlete. While few objective diagnostic tests exist to identify concussion, many are in development, most notably advanced imaging and biomarker modalities.

Comparative Performance of Three Eye-Tracking Devices in Detection of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Acute Versus Chronic Subject Populations.

INTRODUCTION: Presently, traumatic brain injury (TBI) triage in field settings relies on symptom-based screening tools such as the updated Military Acute Concussion Evaluation. Objective eye-tracking may provide an alternative means of neurotrauma screening due to sensitivity to neurotrauma brain-health changes. Previously, the US Army Medical Research and Development Command Non-Invasive NeuroAssessment Devices (NINAD) Integrated Product Team identified 3 commercially available eye-tracking devices (SyncThink EYE-SYNC, Oculogica EyeBOX, NeuroKinetics IPAS) as meeting criteria toward being operationally effective in the detection of TBI in service members. We compared these devices to assess their relative performance in the classification of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) subjects versus normal healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants 18 to 45 years of age were assigned to Acute mTBI, Chronic mTBI, or Control group per study criteria. Each completed a TBI assessment protocol with all 3 devices counterbalanced across participants. Acute mTBI participants were tested within 72 hours following injury whereas time since last injury for the Chronic mTBI group ranged from months to years. Discriminant analysis was undertaken to determine device classification performance in separating TBI subjects from controls. Area Under the Curves (AUCs) were calculated and used to compare the accuracy of device performance. Device-related factors including data quality, the need to repeat tests, and technical issues experienced were aggregated for reporting. RESULTS: A total of 63 participants were recruited as Acute mTBI subjects, 34 as Chronic mTBI subjects, and 119 participants without history of TBI as controls. To maximize outcomes, poorer quality data were excluded from analysis using specific criteria where possible. Final analysis utilized 49 (43 male/6 female, mean [x̅] age = 24.3 years, SD [s] = 5.1) Acute mTBI subjects, and 34 (33 male/1 female, x̅ age = 38.8 years, s = 3.9) Chronic mTBI subjects were age- and gender-matched as closely as possible with Control subjects. AUCs obtained with 80% of total dataset ranged from 0.690 to 0.950 for the Acute Group and from 0.753 to 0.811 for the Chronic mTBI group. Validation with the remaining 20% of dataset produced AUCs ranging from 0.600 to 0.750 for Acute mTBI group and 0.490 to 0.571 for the Chronic mTBI group. CONCLUSIONS: Potential eye-tracking detection of mTBI, per training model outcomes, ranged from acceptable to excellent for the Acute mTBI group; however, it was less consistent for the Chronic mTBI group. The self-imposed targeted performance (AUC of 0.850) appears achievable, but further device improvements and research are necessary. Discriminant analysis models differed for the Acute versus Chronic mTBI groups, suggesting performance differences in eye-tracking. Although eye-tracking demonstrated sensitivity in the Chronic group, a more rigorous and/or longitudinal study design is required to evaluate this observation. mTBI injuries were not controlled for this study, potentially reducing eye-tracking assessment sensitivity. Overall, these findings indicate that while eye-tracking remains a viable means of mTBI screening, device-specific variability in data quality, length of testing, and ease of use must be addressed to achieve NINAD objectives and DoD implementation.

Predicting Recovery After Concussion in Pediatric Patients: A Meta-Analysis.

CONTEXT: Prognostic prediction models (PPMs) can help clinicians predict outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To critically examine peer-reviewed PPMs predicting delayed recovery among pediatric patients with concussion. DATA SOURCES: Ovid Medline, Embase, Ovid PsycInfo, Web of Science Core Collection, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar. STUDY SELECTION: The study had to report a PPM for pediatric patients to be used within 28 days of injury to estimate risk of delayed recovery at 28 days to 1 year postinjury. Studies had to have at least 30 participants. DATA EXTRACTION: The Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modeling Studies checklist was completed. RESULTS: Six studies of 13 PPMs were included. These studies primarily reflected male patients in late childhood or early adolescence presenting to an emergency department meeting the Concussion in Sport Group concussion criteria. No study authors used the same outcome definition nor evaluated the clinical utility of a model. All studies demonstrated high risk of bias. Quality of evidence was best for the Predicting and Preventing Postconcussive Problems in Pediatrics (5P) clinical risk score. LIMITATIONS: No formal PPM Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations (GRADE) process exists. CONCLUSIONS: The 5P clinical risk score may be considered for clinical use. Rigorous external validations, particularly in other settings, are needed. The remaining PPMs require external validation. Lack of consensus regarding delayed recovery criteria limits these PPMs.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Mental Health Screening Tools After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

Importance: Mental health disorders are common after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and likely exacerbate postconcussive symptoms and disability. Early detection could improve clinical outcomes, but the accuracy of mental health screening tools in this population has not been well established. Objective: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalizaed Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and Primary Care PTSD (Posttramatic Stress Disorder) Screen for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (Fifth Edition) (DSM-5) (PC-PTSD-5) in adults with mTBI. Design, Setting, and Participants: This diagnostic study was performed as a secondary analysis of a cluster randomized clinical trial. Self-report mental health screening tools (PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PC-PTSD-5) were administered online 12 weeks after mTBI and compared against a structured psychodiagnostic interview (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview for DSM-5 (MINI) over videoconference at the same time. Adults with mTBI (N = 537) were recruited from February 1, 2021, to October 25, 2022. Main Outcomes and Measures: Presence of a major depressive episode, anxiety disorders, and PTSD were determined by a blinded assessor with the MINI. Diagnostic accuracy statistics were derived for the PHQ-9, GAD-7, and PC-PTSD-5. Findings were disaggregated for participants with and without persistent postconcussion symptoms (PPCS) by International and Statistical Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision criteria. Results: Data were available for 499 of 537 trial participants, 278 (55.7%) of whom were female; the mean (SD) age was 38.8 (13.9) years. Each screening questionnaire had strong diagnostic accuracy in the overall sample for optimal cut points (area under the curve [AUC], ≥0.80; sensitivity, 0.55-0.94; specificity, 0.64-0.94). The AUC (difference of 0.01-0.13) and specificity (difference, 5-65 percentage points) were lower in those with PPCS present compared with PPCS absent, but the prevalence of at least 1 mental health disorder was 3 to 5 times higher in patients with PPCS present. The GAD-7 had slightly better performance than the PC-PTSD-5 for detecting PTSD (AUC, 0.85 [95% CI, 0.80-0.89] vs 0.80 [95% CI, 0.72-0.87]). The optimal cutoff on the PHQ-9 was 5 or more symptoms experienced on more than half of days; on the GAD-7, a total score of at least 7. Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this diagnostic study suggest that the PHQ-9, GAD-7 and PC-PTSD-5 accurately screen for mental health disorders in patients with mTBI. Future research should corroborate optimal test cutoffs for this population.

Effectiveness of personalized rehabilitation in adults suffering from persistent concussion symptoms as compared to usual care: a randomized control trial protocol.

BACKGROUND: Symptoms reported by patients who sustain a concussion are non-specific. As such, clinicians are better able to manage patients when a standardized clinical exam is performed to sub-type the driver(s) of symptoms. Aerobic exercise and multimodal rehabilitation have consistently shown to be a possibly effective means to manage this population; however, the optimal training prescription is unclear. Thus, there is a need to further examine the effectiveness of personalized rehabilitative treatments. Our primary aim is to evaluate the response to personalized therapy on recovery, as measured by The Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) when compared to an active control. METHODS: We will conduct a multi-center 12-week case-crossover randomized controlled trial. 50 participants will be recruited from out-patient University Health Network clinics and community-based clinical practices around the greater Toronto area. Participants will be randomized at baseline to Group A: a personalized care program followed by an active control or Group B: an active control followed by a personalized care program. Participants will be included should they be 21 years of age and older and have symptoms that have persisted beyond 4 weeks but less than 1 year. Participants will undergo 6-weeks of care in their respective streams. After 6-weeks, participants will undergo a re-examination. They will then crossover and undertake the alternative treatment for 6 weeks. At the end of 12 weeks, participants will undertake the endpoint examinations. The primary outcome will be the Rivermead Postconcussion Questionnaire (RPQ). The secondary outcomes will be changes in standardized clinical examination, Neck Disability Index (NDI), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and an electroencephalography (EEG) via NeuroCatch™. The statistical analysis to be performed is composed of an adjusted model using an analysis of variance, specifically using an unpaired t-test to test for associations between variables and outcomes. DISCUSSION: Given the recommendations from reviews on the topic of rehabilitation for adults with persistent concussion symptoms, we are undertaking a controlled trial. The documented high costs for patients seeking care for persistent symptoms necessitate the need to evaluate the effectiveness of a personalized rehabilitative program compared to the current standard of care. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06069700.

Is Access to Optimal Concussion Care for Pediatric Athletes Limited by Geography?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate access to optimal concussion care based on a pediatric patients' geography; the hypothesis is that differential access across the Unites States exists. DESIGN: Employed a novel strategy using internet searches to find local care, mimicking what families might do in different parts of the country. SETTING: Virtual internet searches. PARTICIPANTS: Not applicable. INDEPENDENT VARIABLE: Various metropolitan and rural geographic regions within each state in the United States. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Evaluate access (defined as distance to clinic and ability to see pediatric patients) and optimal care (defined as self-referral process and presence of multidisciplinary care). RESULTS: Search strategy yielded 490 results. Overall ∼60% were within 50 miles of searched locations with significant differences in access based on rural versus metropolitan areas ( P < 0.0001); in rural areas, only ∼22% of results were within 50 miles. Only about one-third of the results (n = 157) saw pediatric patient with no differences between regions. There was significant regional and geographic variation for optimal care regarding both self-referral processes and access to multidisciplinary care. A diverse group of specialists was represented in search results for concussion care. CONCLUSIONS: Nationwide, there is an overall lack of access to multidisciplinary concussion care for pediatric patients. Additionally, those in rural communities face more limitations related to access to facilities with increased distances from closest clinic sites.

The influence of prior COVID-19 diagnosis on concussion recovery outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: While the clinical presentations of COVID-19 and concussion are not identical, there is a significant overlap in symptomology (e.g., fatigue, headache) and neurological deficits (e.g., cognitive, vestibular). However, limited research has examined the effect of prior COVID-19 diagnosis on concussion outcomes. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine if prior diagnosis of COVID-19 influences concussion outcomes, including concussion assessment scores and recovery time, in college-aged individuals. METHODS: A prospective study of college-aged individuals (COVID-19: n = 43, mean age 21.3 [SD 2.5] years; no COVID-19: n = 51, mean age 21.0 [SD 2.5] years) diagnosed with concussion was conducted. Demographics, injury details, the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition (SCAT5), and the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) were completed at the acute (within 5 days after concussion) and full medical clearance (FMC) (within 3 days after FMC) visits. Mann-Whitney U-tests determined differences in concussion outcomes between groups. Cox proportional hazards regression models were fitted to assess the relationship between factors associated with concussion symptom resolution and days to FMC, and covariates were selected based on previous literature indicating potential confounds (e.g., female sex, acute symptom severity, preexisting mental health conditions). Hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals were reported for each predictor variable. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between groups for SCAT5 and VOMS composite and total scores. Significant differences were found between COVID-19 and no-COVID-19 groups in days to symptom resolution (11.5 days vs 8 days, p = 0.021), but not in days to FMC (14 days vs 12 days, p = 0.099). The association between COVID-19 groups and days to clearance was not significant when adjusting for sex, race, history of depression/anxiety, and total number of concussion symptoms at the acute visit [χ2(5) = 8.349, p = 0.138]. However, male sex (HR 2.036, 95% CI 1.033-4.014; p = 0.040) was associated with a quicker time to FMC. CONCLUSIONS: Prior COVID-19 diagnosis did not influence cognitive abilities and vestibular/ocular functioning as measured by the SCAT5 and VOMS postconcussion. While prior COVID-19 diagnosis did result in a significantly longer duration to symptom resolution when compared with individuals who did not have a prior COVID-19 diagnosis, prior COVID-19 did not significantly influence time to FMC by a healthcare provider. Clinicians should consider that individuals with a prior diagnosis of COVID-19 might experience prolonged symptoms postconcussion.

SCAT5 baseline values, test-retest reliability, and reliable change metrics in high school athletes.

OBJECTIVE: In the United States, more than 1 million sport-related concussions afflict children annually, with many cases undetected or unreported. The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) is widely used to detect concussions in high school, collegiate, and professional sports. The objective of this study was to establish baseline values for the SCAT version 5 (SCAT5) in high school athletes. METHODS: Baseline SCAT5 evaluations were conducted in students (ages 14-19 years) from 19 high schools in central Illinois who were participating in various school-sponsored sports. The SCAT5 evaluations were retrospectively extracted from the electronic medical record system for analysis. Statistical analyses included the Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables and the chi-square test for categorical variables, considering significance at p < 0.05. Test-retest reliability at < 6 months, 10-14 months, and 16-20 months was computed using intraclass correlation and Spearman's rho (ρ). Reliable change indices are provided using the Iverson formula. RESULTS: A total of 2833 unique athletes were included, and the average age was 15.5 ± 1.14 (SD) years. There were 721 female (25.5%) and 2112 male (74.5%) athletes. Students ≥ 15 years old had more prior concussions (p < 0.001), and male athletes were more frequently hospitalized for head injury (p = 0.013). Female athletes exhibited a significantly higher prevalence of mood disorders (14.7% vs 4.6%, p < 0.001), whereas attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder was more common in male athletes (5.2% vs 13.2%, p < 0.001). Symptom number and severity were significantly greater in female athletes (3.17 ± 4.39 vs 2.08 ± 3.49, p < 0.001; 5.47 ± 9.21 vs 3.52 ± 7.26, p < 0.001, respectively), with mood-related symptoms representing the largest differences. Female athletes and students ≥ 15 years old performed better on most cognitive assessments. Female athletes and students < 15 years old performed better on the modified Balance Error Scoring System (p < 0.001). Test-retest reliability was poor to moderate for most assessment components. Reliable change index cutoff values differed slightly by sex, with female athletes often having a greater cutoff value. CONCLUSIONS: This study underscores the variability of SCAT5 baseline values influenced by age, sex, and medical history among adolescent athletes. It provides a robust dataset, delineating baseline values stratified by sex and age within this demographic. Additionally, the results provide enhanced guidance to clinicians for interpretation of change and reliability of baselines.

Pediatric sport and nonsport concussions presenting to emergency departments: injury circumstances, characteristics, and clinical management.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare injury circumstances, characteristics, and clinical management of emergency department (ED) presentations for sports-related concussion (SRC) and non-SRC. METHODS: This multicenter prospective observational study identified patients 5-17 years old who presented to EDs within 24 hours of head injury, with one or more signs or symptoms of concussion. Participants had a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13-15 and no abnormalities on CT (if performed). Data were stratified by age: young children (5-8 years), older children (9-12 years), and adolescents (13-17 years). RESULTS: Of 4709 patients meeting the concussion criteria, non-SRC accounted for 56.3% of overall concussions, including 80.9% of younger child, 51.1% of older child, and 37.0% of adolescent concussions. The most common mechanism of non-SRC was falls for all ages. The most common activity accounting for SRC was bike riding for younger children, and rugby for older children and adolescents. Concussions occurring in sports areas, home, and educational settings accounted for 26.2%, 21.8%, and 19.0% of overall concussions. Concussions occurring in a sports area increased with age, while occurrences in home and educational settings decreased with age. The presence of amnesia significantly differed for SRC and non-SRC for all age groups, while vomiting and disorientation differed for older children and adolescents. Adolescents with non-SRC were admitted to a ward and underwent CT at higher proportions than those with SRC. CONCLUSIONS: Non-SRC more commonly presented to EDs overall, with SRC more common with increasing age. These data provide important information to inform public health policies, guidelines, and prevention efforts.

Sex differences in postconcussive symptom reporting in those with history of concussion: Findings from the federal interagency traumatic brain injury research (FITBIR) database.

Objective: This study investigated influence of biological sex on postconcussive symptoms (PCS) following concussion using the Federal Interagency Traumatic Brain Injury Research (FITBIR) database. Method: All studies with publicly released data as of 4/7/21 that included both males and females, enough information to determine severity of injury consistent with concussion, a measure of PCS, and objective measures of neurocognitive functioning were used. This resulted in 6 studies with a total of 9890 participants (3206 females, 6684 males); 815 participants completed the Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory (NSI), 471 completed the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPSQ), and 8604 completed the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-3rd Edition (SCAT 3). Questionnaires were harmonized and the following symptom composite scores were computed: total score, somatic, cognitive, and affective. Data were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models. Results: Females endorsed higher total symptoms relative to males and that military personnel endorsed higher symptoms relative to civilians. Additionally, there was a small but significant interaction effect, such that female military personnel endorsed even higher symptoms than would be predicted by the main effects. Similar patterns were observed for somatic, cognitive, and affective symptom domains. Conclusions: Further understanding sex differences in PCS reporting is key to informing the most appropriate treatment options. Future work will need to examine whether sex differences in symptom reporting is due to sex differences in endorsement styles or genuine differences in symptom presentation, as well as the relationship between study population (e.g., military, civilian, sport) and sex on objective cognitive functioning and other functional outcomes.

Reliability and Sensitivity of a Virtual Assessment Developed for Workplace Concussions: Protocol for a Method-Comparison Study.

BACKGROUND: Workplace mild traumatic brain injuries are frequently associated with persistent symptoms, leading to a reduction in productivity at work or even disability. People who sustain workplace injuries frequently need rehabilitation and support, and the challenges of delivering these services was heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic as injured workers had to be cared for remotely. Currently, clinicians are conducting both in-person and virtual (remote) concussion assessments; however, the measures that are being used to complete these assessments have undocumented psychometric properties. OBJECTIVE: This study will document the psychometric properties of the clinical measures that are being used remotely and their ability to produce similar results to in-person assessments. Specifically, through this method-comparison study, we aim to (1) evaluate the sensitivity of the measures included in a virtual assessment toolkit when compared to an in-person assessment and (2) determine the interrater and intrarater reliabilities of the measures included in a virtual assessment toolkit. METHODS: Patient participants (people living with acquired brain injuries) will attend two assessments (in person and virtual) at the Ottawa Hospital. The two assessments will be identical, consisting of the measures included in our previously developed virtual concussion assessment toolkit, which includes finger-to-nose testing, the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening tool, balance testing, cervical spine range of motion, saccades testing, and evaluation of effort. All virtual assessments will occur using the Microsoft Teams platform and will be audio/video-recorded. The clinician assessor and patient participant will complete a feedback form following completion of the assessments. A different clinician will also document the findings on observed videos of the virtual assessment shortly after completion of both in-person and virtual assessments and approximately 1 month later. Interrater reliability will be assessed by comparing the second clinician's observation with the first clinician's initial virtual assessment. Intrarater reliability will be evaluated by comparing the second clinician's observation with their own assessment approximately 1 month later. Sensitivity will be documented by comparing the findings (identification of abnormality) of the in-person assessment completed by the initial clinician assessor with those of the second clinician assessor on the observation of the recording of the virtual assessment. RESULTS: As of May 2024, we have recruited 7 clinician assessors and completed study assessments with 39 patient participants. The study recruitment is expected to be completed by September 2024. CONCLUSIONS: Currently, it is unknown if completing concussion assessments virtually produces similar results to the in-person assessment. This work will serve as a first step to determining the similarity of the virtual assessment to the matching in-person assessment and will provide information on the reliability of the virtual assessment. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID): DERR1-10.2196/57663.

On-Field Rule Out of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: Can Blood-Based Biomarker Testing Change Outcome of Major Sporting Events?

BACKGROUND: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is defined as a Glascow Coma Score of between 13 and 15. The diagnosis and rule out of individuals suffering from mTBI on an acute basis is imperfect and involves subjective measures. Serum biomarkers that exhibit narrow within-individual biological variation can be used for the early rule-out of mTBI, when baseline levels are compared during health. METHODS: This is a descriptive study that applies published biological variation data of serum mTBI biomarkers for early rule out of sports-related injury. RESULTS: Laboratory tests such as glial fibrillary acidic protein, fatty acid binding protein 7, and phosphorylated protein enriched in astrocytes have low within-individual variances and are potential candidates. Aldolase C also rises early in blood but the biological variation is of this marker is currently unknown. CONCLUSIONS: The use of blood-based biomarkers, measured in real time using point-of-care testing devices when compared to a pre-competition baseline instead of a population-based reference interval, can provide early rule out of mTBI, and possibly enable on-field evaluations and a medical decision for a return to competition.