Reactive Balance Deficits Differ in People After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Based on Chronicity of Self-Reported...

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Biomechanics
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) often results in lasting balance impairments affecting daily life.
• While static and dynamic balance deficits are known, reactive balance (crucial for recovery from perturbations) is less studied in mTBI.
• The link between reactive balance, symptom severity, and quality of life post-mTBI requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate reactive balance deficits across different stages of mTBI recovery.
• To determine the association between reactive balance, self-reported symptoms, and quality of life following mTBI.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 82 participants: 19 acute mTBI, 11 sub-acute mTBI, 11 chronic mTBI, and 41 healthy controls.
• Reactive balance was assessed using the Instrumented-modified Push and Release test under single-task and cognitive dual-task conditions.
• Key metrics included time to stability and step latency.

Main Results:

• Acute mTBI patients showed increased step latency (single and dual-task) but normal time to stability compared to controls.
• Chronic mTBI patients demonstrated prolonged time to stability (single and dual-task) with normal step latency versus controls.
• Symptom severity, particularly dizziness, correlated with balance deficits, especially in the acute and sub-acute recovery phases.

Conclusions:

• Reactive balance impairments are a persistent issue following mTBI, with distinct patterns observed in acute, sub-acute, and chronic recovery stages.
• The differing balance control strategies suggest adaptive functional changes in response to symptoms.
• These findings highlight the need for tailored rehabilitation approaches addressing specific reactive balance deficits at different mTBI recovery phases.