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Postural Stability and Neuropsychological Deficits After Concussion in Collegiate Athletes
Kevin M. Guskiewicz1, Scott E. Ross, Stephen W. Marshall
1University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
Journal of Athletic Training
|August 26, 2003
Summary
Athletes with concussion show acute balance problems. Neurocognitive deficits are subtle in early stages, and loss of consciousness or amnesia does not impact recovery time.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Postural stability and neuropsychological testing are increasingly used in athlete concussion assessment.
- Clinicians debate the utility of preseason baseline testing for return-to-play decisions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the recovery course of postural stability and neuropsychological measures after sport-related concussion.
- To determine if loss of consciousness and amnesia affect recovery rates.
Main Methods:
- 36 collegiate athletes with concussion and 36 matched controls underwent baseline and post-injury (days 1, 3, 5) testing.
- Postural stability assessed using Sensory Organization Test and Balance Error Scoring System.
- Neurocognitive function measured by Trail-Making Test, Wechsler Digit Span Test, Stroop Color Word Test, and Hopkins Verbal Learning Test.
Main Results:
- Concussed athletes exhibited significant postural stability deficits on post-injury day 1 compared to baseline and controls.
- Only Trail-Making Test B and Wechsler Digit Span Test Backward showed logical recovery curves.
- Loss of consciousness and amnesia did not correlate with increased deficits or slower recovery.
Conclusions:
- Athletes with concussion experience acute balance deficits, likely due to impaired vestibular and visual system integration.
- Subtle neurocognitive deficits in concentration, memory, and processing may occur but are hard to detect acutely.
- Further research is needed to identify optimal neuropsychological test batteries for concussion assessment.