Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 23, 2025
Objectively Assessing Sports Concussion Utilizing Visual Evoked Potentials
Published on: April 27, 2021
Testing the Validity and Reliability of a Standardized Virtual Examination for Concussion
Alani I Jack1, Helena T Digney1, Carter A Bell1
1Department of Neurology (AIJ, HTD, CAB, SNG, LJB, SLG, NAB), New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NY; Department of Rehabilitation Sciences (JIM, GTS), School of Public Health and Health Professions, State University of New York at Buffalo; UBMD Department of Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine (MNH, JJL) and Department of Psychiatry (BSW), Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York at Buffalo; Departments of Population Health (LJB) and Ophthalmology (LJB, SLG), New York University Grossman School of Medicine, NY; and Department of Neurology (DMT), Lenox Hill Hospital at Northwell Health, New York, NY.
The Telemedicine Buffalo Concussion Physical Examination (Tele-BCPE) provides reliable concussion assessments, whether performed in-person or virtually by one or two examiners. This tool validates remote neurological examination findings for concussion care.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Telemedicine
- Concussion Management
Background:
- Concussion assessments traditionally rely on in-person examinations.
- The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine in healthcare.
- Standardized tools are needed to ensure reliable remote concussion evaluations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the inter-modality and inter-rater agreement of the Telemedicine Buffalo Concussion Physical Examination (Tele-BCPE).
- To assess the validity and reliability of a standardized telemedicine concussion examination.
- To evaluate the consistency of Tele-BCPE results across different examination settings and examiners.
Main Methods:
- The Tele-BCPE was used for virtual examinations by two neurologists.
- In-person examinations were conducted by the treating neurologist.
- Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) and Cohen's kappa (κ) were used to measure agreement.
Main Results:
- High inter-modality agreement (ICC = 0.95) and inter-rater agreement (ICC = 0.88) were found for total Tele-BCPE scores.
- Substantial inter-modality agreement (κ ≥ 0.61) was observed for 25 of 29 examination elements.
- Substantial inter-rater agreement was found for 8 of 29 elements.
Conclusions:
- The Tele-BCPE is a valid and reliable tool for concussion assessment in both in-person and telemedicine settings.
- The Tele-BCPE demonstrates consistent results regardless of the examiner or modality.
- Telemedicine concussion assessments can provide reliable findings, supporting its integration into clinical practice.
