Methodological Problems With Online Concussion Testing.

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomedical Engineering
• Human Factors Engineering

Background:

• Reaction time testing is a common metric in computerized concussion assessments.
• Existing online concussion assessments often rely on consumer-grade technology, introducing potential measurement errors.
• Variability in computer hardware and operating systems can affect the accuracy of reaction time data.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the accuracy of reaction time measurements using consumer-grade technology in concussion assessments.
• To quantify timing errors introduced by different hardware and software configurations.
• To determine if dedicated hardware improves reaction time measurement accuracy for concussion testing.

Main Methods:

• Robotic experiments were conducted to eliminate human bias in reaction time testing.
• Four conditions were tested: visual stimulus on a computer monitor, visual stimulus on a mobile device, tactile stimulus with mouse response, and tactile stimulus with dedicated hardware response.
• Reaction time data was collected using photodiodes and mechanical responses via computer mouse, mobile touchscreens, and dedicated devices.

Main Results:

• Significant differences in response ranges were observed across the four conditions.
• Reaction time measurements using a mobile device for visual stimulus yielded the worst results.
• Dedicated hardware designed for reaction time tasks provided the most accurate measurements.

Conclusions:

• Consumer-grade technology, particularly mobile devices, can introduce substantial errors in concussion reaction time testing.
• The findings highlight the need for dedicated hardware to ensure reliable and accurate concussion assessments.
• Standardized, accurate reaction time testing is crucial for effective concussion diagnosis and management.