The balance error scoring system learned response among young adults.

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Neurology
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Concussion management relies on baseline neurophysical assessments like the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS).
• The BESS measures postural stability by counting errors across six conditions.
• Previous studies indicated a 3-week extinction of learned responses in high school athletes, but this remains unstudied in college populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if college-aged adults exhibit a learned response on the BESS at 1 and 2 weeks, with no change from baseline at or after 3 weeks.
• To compare learned response patterns in college athletes to previously observed patterns in high school athletes.

Main Methods:

• A randomized controlled trial involving three groups of college-aged adults (18-26 years).
• Subjects were tested using the BESS at scheduled intervals (weeks 1, 2, and 4) to determine learned response.
• Statistical analysis included paired t-tests for pretest/posttest comparisons within groups and ANOVA/chi-square tests for between-group differences.

Main Results:

• After 4 weeks, all groups showed a statistically significant reduction in BESS scores from baseline, indicating a persistent learned response.
• No statistically significant differences were found between the three groups regarding week 4 BESS scores or changes from baseline.
• The learned response did not extinguish within the 4-week study period for college-aged participants.

Conclusions:

• Repeated Balance Error Scoring System testing in college-aged adults results in a learned effect that persists beyond 4 weeks.
• These findings challenge the BESS's efficacy in accurately assessing an athlete's balance deficits post-concussion.
• The limited detectable change/reliable change index of the BESS further suggests potential limitations in its effectiveness for balance assessment.