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A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
The Portable Warrior Test of Tactical Agility: A Novel Functional Assessment That Discriminates Service Members
Amy Seal Cecchini1, Julianna Prim2, Wanqing Zhang3
1Geneva Foundation, Ft. Bragg Intrepid Spirit Center, Womack Army Medical Center, Fayetteville, NC 28310, USA.
Introduction:
Return-to-duty (RTD) readiness assessment for service members (SM) following concussion requires complex clinical considerations. The Portable Warrior Test of Tactical Agility (POWAR-TOTAL) is a functional assessment which improves on previous laboratory-based RTD assessments.
Methods:
Sixty-four SM diagnosed with concussion and 60 healthy control (HC) SM participated in this study. Group differences were analyzed to validate the POWAR-TOTAL. The High-level Mobility Assessment Test (HiMAT) was used to examine concurrent construct validity. An exploratory logistic regression analysis examined predictive validity.
Results:
The groups were demographically well-matched except for educational level. POWAR-TOTAL measures were statistically significantly different between the groups with moderate to large effect sizes. Concussed participants were less likely to be able to complete all trials of the POWAR-TOTAL. Motor scores correlated highly with HiMAT scores. POWAR-TOTAL motor task performance and membership in the control group was significantly associated with self-reported physical readiness to deploy.
Conclusion:
The POWAR-TOTAL is a clinically feasible, military relevant assessment that is sensitive to differences between concussed and HC SM. This analysis supports the discriminant and construct validity of the POWAR-TOTAL, and may be useful for medical providers evaluating RTD readiness for SM who have sustained a concussion.
