An Exploratory Analysis of Physical Examination Subtypes in Pediatric Athletes With Concussion

Pediatric athletes with concussion present with a variety of impairments on clinical assessment and require individualized treatment. The Buffalo Concussion Physical Examination is a brief, pertinent clinical assessment for individuals with concussion. The purpose of this study was to identify physical examination subtypes in pediatric athletes with concussion within 2 weeks of injury that are relevant to diagnosis and treatment.

Secondary analysis of a published cohort study and clinician consensus.

Three university-affiliated sports medicine centers.

Two hundred seventy children (14.9 ± 1.9 years).

Orthostatic intolerance, horizontal and vertical saccades, smooth pursuits, vestibulo-ocular reflex, near-point convergence, complex tandem gait, neck range of motion, neck tenderness, and neck spasm.

Correlations between independent variables were calculated, and network graphs were made. k -means and hierarchical clustering were used to identify clusters of impairments. Optimal number of clusters was assessed. Results were reviewed by experienced clinicians and consensus was reached on proposed subtypes.

Physical examination clusters overlapped with each other, and no optimal number of clusters was identified. Clinician consensus suggested 3 possible subtypes: (1) visio-vestibular (horizontal and vertical saccades, smooth pursuits, and vestibulo-ocular reflex), (2) cervicogenic (neck range of motion and spasm), and (3) autonomic/balance (orthostatic intolerance and complex tandem gait).

Although we identified 3 physical examination subtypes, it seemed that physical examination findings alone are not enough to define subtypes that are both statistically supported and clinically relevant, likely because they do not include symptoms, assessment of mood or cognitive problems, or graded exertion testing.