Using change scores on the vestibular ocular motor screening (VOMS) tool to identify concussion in adolescents

Documenting Compliance and Symptom Reactivity for Ambulatory Assessment Methodology Following Concussion in Adolescents and Young Adults: Feasibility of the Mobile Neurocognitive Health (MNCH) Project

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate compliance, symptom reactivity, and acceptability/experience ratings for an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) protocol involving ultra-brief ambulatory cognitive assessments in adolescent and young adult patients with concussion.

SETTING

Outpatient concussion clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

116 patients aged 13 to 25 years with concussion.

DESIGN

Prospective research design was used to examine compliance, symptom reactivity, and acceptability/experience for the Mobile Neurocognitive Health Project (MNCH); an EMA study of environmental exposures, symptoms, objective cognitive functioning, and symptom reactivity involving 4, daily EMA surveys (7:30 am, 10:30 am, 3:00 pm, 8:00 pm) for a period of 7 days following concussion. Overall compliance rates, symptom reactivity scores, and participant acceptability/experience ratings were described. A series of non-parametric Friedman Tests with post-hoc Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to examine differences in compliance and reactivity related to time of day and over the course of the protocol (first 3 days [Early Week] vs last 4 days [Late Week]).

MAIN MEASURES

Compliance rates, symptom reactivity scores, participant experience/acceptability.

RESULTS

Overall median compliance was 71%, and there were significantly fewer 7:30 am surveys completed compared to the 10:30 am (Z = -4.88,P ≤ .001), 3:00 pm (Z = -4.13,P ≤ .001), and 8:00 pm (Z = -4.68, P ≤ .001) surveys. Compliance for Early Week surveys were significantly higher than Late Week (Z = -2.16,P = .009). The median symptom reactivity score was 34.39 out of 100 and was significantly higher for Early Week compared to Late Week (Z = -4.59,P ≤ .001). Ninety-nine percent (89/90) of the sample agreed that the app was easy to use, and 18% (16/90) indicated that the app interfered with their daily life.

CONCLUSION

Adolescents and young adults with concussion were compliant with the MNCH EMA protocol. Symptom reactivity to the protocol was low and the majority of participants reported that the app and protocol were acceptable. These findings support further investigation into applications of EMA for use in concussion studies.

False-Positive Rates, Risk Factors, and Interpretations of the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening in Collegiate Athletes

CONTEXT

Biological sex and history of motion sickness are known modifiers associated with a false-positive baseline Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS). However, other factors may be associated with a false-positive VOMS in collegiate athletes.

OBJECTIVE

To identify contributing factors to false-positive VOMS assessments using population-specific criteria. We also critically appraised previously reported interpretation criteria.

DESIGN

Descriptive laboratory study.

SETTING

Single-site collegiate athletic training clinic.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I athletes (n = 462 [41% female]) aged 18.8 ± 1.4 years.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Participants completed the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire, the 7-Item Generalized Anxiety Index, the Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing battery, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Revised Head Injury Scale, the Sensory Organization Test, and the VOMS as part of a multidimensional baseline concussion assessment. Participants were classified into 2 groups based on whether they had a total symptom score of greater than or equal to 8 after VOMS administration, excluding the baseline checklist. We used χ2 and independent t tests to compare group demographics. A binary logistic regression with adjusted odds ratios (ORs) was used to evaluate the influence of sex, corrected vision, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing composite scores, concussion history, history of treatment for headache and/or migraine, Generalized Anxiety Index scores, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 scores, Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire scores, and Sensory Organization Test equilibrium scores and somatosensory, visual, and vestibular sensory ratios on false-positive rates.

RESULTS

Approximately 9.1% (42 of 462 [30 females]) met criteria for a false-positive VOMS. A significantly greater proportion of females had false positives (χ21 = 18.37, P < .001). Female sex (OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.17, 6.65; P = .02) and history of treatment for headache (OR = 4.99; 95% CI = 1.21, 20.59; P = .026) were the only significant predictors of false-positive VOMS. Depending on cutoff interpretation, false-positive rates using our data ranged from 9.1% to 22.5%.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results support the most recent interpretation guidelines for the VOMS in collegiate athletes due to a low false-positive rate and ease of interpretation. Biological sex and history of headaches should be considered when administering the VOMS in the absence of a baseline.

Association between days for concussion recovery and initial specialty clinic evaluation within 48 hours

BACKGROUND

Researchers have highlighted the importance of early access to concussion care within one week of injury in reducing recovery times. However, a persisting question for concussion researchers is "just how early is important?" The purpose of this study was to examine differences in recovery time as predicted by the number of days elapsed since injury (DSI) to initial evaluation among patients who had access to a specialty concussion clinic within seven days. We hypothesized that DSI group membership, even within seven days, would significantly predict risk of protracted recovery (i.e., beyond 21 days).

METHODS

In this archival study, retrospective data were gathered from electronic medical records between September 2020 to March 2022. Records of participants between ages 12-18, those diagnosed with a sports-related concussion based on initial clinic visit diagnosis by a medical provider and those who established care within seven days of injury at a large pediatric specialty concussion clinic were examined. Participants were divided into three DSI groups (patients seen in < 48 h: "acute", patients seen between 49 h < and < 96 h: "sub-acute", and patients seen between 97 < and < 168 h: "post-acute"). A general linear model was constructed to examine relationships between relevant concussion factors (e.g., Post Concussion Scale Score, neurodevelopmental history, psychiatric history, concussion history, migraine history, overall VOMS change score, cognitive testing, sex, age, race, and ethnicity) that were either significant in the preliminary analysis or in clinical judgement and recovery time. Adjusted odds ratios (OR) were derived from a binary logistic regression model, in which recovery time was normal (≤ 21 recovery days) or protracted (> 21 recovery days).

RESULTS

A total of 856 participants were eligible. Adolescents in the acute group (M = 15.12, SD = 8.04) had shorter recovery times in days compared to those in the sub-acute (M = 17.98, SD = 10.18) and post-acute (M = 21.12, SD = 10.12; F = 26.00, p < .001) groups. Further, participants in the acute (OR = 4.16) and sub-acute (OR = 1.37) groups who accessed specialty concussion clinics within 48 h were 4 times more likely to have a normal recovery and recovered approximately 6 days faster than the post-acute care group.

CONCLUSIONS

Earlier concussion care access predicted recovery times and was associated with lower risk for protracted recovery.

Reconsidering Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening Cutoff Scores for Concussion

INTRODUCTION

Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) is often part of a comprehensive evaluation to identify acute mild traumatic brain injury. Most of the reports describe the use of the VOMS in adolescents/young adults and not in older adults or military service members. The purpose of this study was to describe VOMS findings in healthy civilians and active duty military service members up to the age of 50 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Seventy-seven healthy civilians between 18 and 50 years of age (22 males, age 31.8 [9.0] years) participated across three sites in addition to 40 healthy active duty service members (25 males, age 27.5 [4.9] years) from one site. Demographics, Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory scores, mean near point convergence (NPC) distance, and Total Symptom Change (TSS) scores from the VOMS were evaluated.

RESULTS

For civilians, the group mean NPC distance was 4.98 (3.8) cm. For military service members, the group mean NPC distance was 6.17 (4.57) cm. For civilians, the mean TSS was 1.2 (2.3) with 53.2% reporting 0 TSS, 27.3% reporting one TSS, and 19.5% reporting two or more TSS. For military service members, the mean TSS was 0.20 (0.72) with 92.5% reporting 0 TSS, 0% reporting one TSS, and 7.5% reporting two or more TSS. Age did not correlate with the mean NPC distance and TSS in healthy civilians and active duty military service members.

CONCLUSIONS

Reconsideration of the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation, Version 2 cutoff value for abnormal mean NPC distance may be warranted to improve diagnostic accuracy in both civilian and military adult populations. Similarly, re-evaluating criteria for interpreting the TSS results of the VOMS, specifically in civilians, may be warranted.

Preliminary Baseline Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening Scores in Pediatric Soccer Athletes

CONTEXT

The utility of baseline vestibular and ocular motor screening (VOMS) in high school and collegiate athletes is demonstrated throughout the literature; however, baseline VOMS data at the youth level are limited. In addition, with the recent adoption of the change scoring method, there is a need to document baseline VOMS total and change scores in a pediatric population.

OBJECTIVE

To document baseline VOMS total and change scores and to document the internal consistency of the VOMS in pediatric soccer athletes. We hypothesized that the VOMS would demonstrate strong internal consistency in pediatric soccer athletes.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

METHODS

Pediatric soccer athletes (N = 110; range = 5-12 y) completed the VOMS at baseline. Descriptive statistics summarized demographic information, VOMS total scores, and VOMS change scores. Cronbach α assessed internal consistency for VOMS total scores and change scores.

RESULTS

Twenty-one (19.1%) participants had at least one total score above clinical cutoffs (≥2 on any VOMS component and ≥5 cm on average near point convergence). Forty (36.4%) participants had at least one change score above clinical cutoffs (≥1 on any VOMS component and ≥3 cm on average near point convergence). The internal consistency was strong for total scores with all VOMS components included (Cronbach α = .80) and change scores (Cronbach α = .89).

CONCLUSIONS

Although results suggest VOMS items measure distinct components of the vestibular and ocular motor systems, caution should be taken when interpreting VOMS total and change scores in pediatric athletes, as overreporting symptoms is common, thereby impacting the false-positive rate.

Pediatric Sport-Related Concussion: Recommendations From the Amsterdam Consensus Statement 2023

The 6th International Consensus Conference on Concussion in Sport, Amsterdam 2022, addressed sport-related concussion (SRC) in adults, adolescents, and children. We highlight the updated evidence-base and recommendations regarding SRC in children (5-12 years) and adolescents (13-18 years). Prevention strategies demonstrate lower SRC rates with mouthguard use, policy disallowing bodychecking in ice hockey, and neuromuscular training in adolescent rugby. The Sport Concussion Assessment Tools (SCAT) demonstrate robustness with the parent and child symptom scales, with the best diagnostic discrimination within the first 72 hours postinjury. Subacute evaluation (>72 hours) requires a multimodal tool incorporating symptom scales, balance measures, cognitive, oculomotor and vestibular, mental health, and sleep assessment, to which end the Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tools (SCOAT6 [13+] and Child SCOAT6 [8-12]) were developed. Rather than strict rest, early return to light physical activity and reduced screen time facilitate recovery. Cervicovestibular rehabilitation is recommended for adolescents with dizziness, neck pain, and/or headaches for greater than 10 days. Active rehabilitation and collaborative care for adolescents with persisting symptoms for more than 30 days may decrease symptoms. No tests and measures other than standardized and validated symptom rating scales are valid for diagnosing persisting symptoms after concussion. Fluid and imaging biomarkers currently have limited clinical utility in diagnosing or assessing recovery from SRC. Improved paradigms for return to school were developed. The variable nature of disability and differences in evaluating para athletes and those of diverse ethnicity, sex, and gender are discussed, as are ethical considerations and future directions in pediatric SRC research.

The Ability of Vestibular and Oculomotor Screenings to Predict Recovery in Patients After Concussion: A Systematic Review of the Literature

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this systematic review was to investigate if a positive vestibular or oculomotor screening is predictive of recovery in patients after concussion.

DATA SOURCES

Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines to search through PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and hand searches of included articles.

STUDY SELECTION

Two authors evaluated all articles for inclusion and assessed their quality using the Mixed Methods Assessment Tool.

DATA EXTRACTION

After quality assessment was completed, the authors extracted recovery time, vestibular or ocular assessment results, study population demographics, number of participants, inclusion and exclusion criteria, symptom scores, and any other outcomes of assessments reported in the included studies.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Data were critically analyzed by 2 of the authors and categorized into tables regarding the ability of researchers of each article to answer the research question. Many patients who have vision, vestibular, or oculomotor dysfunction appear to have longer recovery times than patients who do not.

CONCLUSIONS

Researchers routinely reported that vestibular and oculomotor screenings are prognostic of time to recovery. Specifically, a positive Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening test appears to consistently predict longer recovery.

Beyond acute concussion assessment to office management: a systematic review informing the development of a Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool (SCOAT6) for adults and children

OBJECTIVES

To systematically review the scientific literature regarding the assessment of sport-related concussion (SRC) in the subacute phase (3-30 days) and provide recommendations for developing a Sport Concussion Office Assessment Tool (SCOAT6).

DATA SOURCES

MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus and Web of Science searched from 2001 to 2022. Data extracted included study design, population, definition of SRC diagnosis, outcome measure(s) and results.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

(1) Original research, cohort studies, case-control studies, diagnostic accuracy and case series with samples >10; (2) SRC; (3) screening/technology that assessed SRC in the subacute period and (4) low risk of bias (ROB). ROB was performed using adapted Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network criteria. Quality of evidence was evaluated using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy classification.

RESULTS

Of 9913 studies screened, 127 met inclusion, assessing 12 overlapping domains. Results were summarised narratively. Studies of acceptable (81) or high (2) quality were used to inform the SCOAT6, finding sufficient evidence for including the assessment of autonomic function, dual gait, vestibular ocular motor screening (VOMS) and mental health screening.

CONCLUSION

Current SRC tools have limited utility beyond 72 hours. Incorporation of a multimodal clinical assessment in the subacute phase of SRC may include symptom evaluation, orthostatic hypotension screen, verbal neurocognitive tests, cervical spine evaluation, neurological screen, Modified Balance Error Scoring System, single/dual task tandem gait, modified VOMS and provocative exercise tests. Screens for sleep disturbance, anxiety and depression are recommended. Studies to evaluate the psychometric properties, clinical feasibility in different environments and time frames are needed.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020154787.

Symptom Provocation Following Post-concussion Computerized Neurocognitive Testing and Its Relationship to Other Clinical Measures of Concussion

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to document the prevalence of post-computerized neurocognitive test (post-CNT) increases in symptoms in athletes with sport-related concussion, and to examine the effect of post-CNT symptom increases on concussion neurocognitive and vestibular/ocular motor clinical outcomes.

METHODS

This was a retrospective analysis of medical records from a concussion specialty clinic. Two hundred and three athletes (M = 16.48 ± 1.97 years; 44% [90/203] female) completed a clinical visit for concussion within 30 days of injury (M = 7.73 ± 5.54 days). Computerized neurocognitive testing (the Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing: ImPACT), the Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS), and the Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) were the main outcome measures for the current study.

RESULTS

Sixty-nine percent (141/203) of the sample did not report significant increases in PCSS scores following post-concussion CNT and were classified into a No Provocation (NO PROV) group. Thirty-one percent (62/203) of participants did report a significant increase in symptoms following post-concussion CNT and were classified into a Provocation (PROV) group. Neurocognitive performance was similar between groups. However, the PROV group reported significantly higher scores on the VOMS symptom items than the NO PROV group.

CONCLUSIONS

The majority of adolescent athletes can complete a post-concussion CNT without experiencing significant increases in concussion symptoms. Individuals that report symptom increases from completing a post-concussion CNT are more likely to exhibit increased vestibular/ocular motor symptoms. These findings underscore the relationship between the clinical findings from both CNT and vestibular/ocular motor measures following concussion.

Optimizing VOMS for identifying acute concussion in collegiate athletes: Findings from the NCAA-DoD CARE consortium

The Vestibular/Ocular-Motor Screening (VOMS), an important component in acute (<72 h) sport-related concussion (SRC) assessment, is increasingly used alongside the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT) and as part of the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation 2 (MACE2). VOMS demonstrates clinically useful diagnostic accuracy for acute SRC and improves the overall utility when added to the SCAT3. However, potential overlap among VOMS's vestibular and oculomotor items suggests the possibility of a more efficient version. VOMS and SCAT3 scores were analyzed for 3,958 preseason (47.8% female) and 496 acute-SRC (37.5% female) NCAA-DoD Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) consortium collegiate athlete evaluations. Analyses revealed very large effect sizes (d = 2.39-2.45) and high correlations (rho = 0.95-0.99) among all VOMS items except near point of convergence distance (d = 0.79, rho ≤ 0.341). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses showed clinically useful discriminative utility for VOMS Total (AUC = 0.85) and the VOMS Total change score, where pretest symptoms were incorporated (AUC = 0.81). A modified VOMS (mVOMS) consisting of four items (smooth pursuits, horizontal saccades, horizontal vestibulo-ocular reflex, visual motion sensitivity) yielded identical AUCs to VOMS Total. Integer cutoff analyses suggest a score of ≥4 for VOMS Total and ≥4 for mVOMS Total optimizes concussion identification. Incorporating VOMS or mVOMS into SCAT3 (AUC = 0.79) significantly improved the combined tool's acute utility for acute concussion identification by a maximum of 4% (SCAT3+VOMS AUC = 0.84, SCAT3+mVOMS AUC = 0.83). Future versions of SCAT or MACE may want to consider incorporating a more parsimonious VOMS for the purpose of identifying acute concussion.

Characterizing the evolution of oculomotor and vestibulo-ocular function over time in children and adolescents after a mild traumatic brain injury

Background

Impairments to oculomotor (OM) and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) function following pediatric mTBI have been demonstrated but are poorly understood. Such impairments can be associated with more negative prognosis, affecting physical and mental wellbeing, emphasizing the need to more fully understand how these evolve.

Objectives

to determine i) the extent to which performance on clinical and computerized tests of OM and VOR function varies over time in children and adolescents at 21 days, 3-, and 6-months post-mTBI; ii) the proportion of children and adolescents with mTBI presenting with abnormal scores on these tests at each timepoint.

Design

Prospective longitudinal design.

Setting

Tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Participants

36 participants with mTBI aged 6 to18.

Procedures

Participants were assessed on a battery of OM and VOR tests within 21 days, at 3- and 6-months post injury.

Outcome measures

Clinical measures: Vestibular/ocular motor screening tool (VOMS) (symptom provocation and performance); Computerized measures: reflexive saccade test (response latency), video head impulse test (VOR gain), and dynamic visual acuity test (LogMAR change).

Analysis

Generalized estimating equations (parameter estimates and odd ratios) estimated the effect of time. Proportions above and below normal cut-off values were determined.

Results

Our sample consisted of 52.8% females [mean age 13.98 (2.4) years, assessed on average 19.07 (8–33) days post-injury]. Older children performed better on visual motion sensitivity (OR 1.43, p = 0.03) and female participants worse on near point of convergence (OR 0.19, p = 0.03). Change over time (toward recovery) was demonstrated by VOMS overall symptom provocation (OR 9.90, p = 0.012), vertical smooth pursuit (OR 4.04, p = 0.03), voluntary saccade performance (OR 6.06, p = 0.005) and right VOR gain (0.068, p = 0.013). Version performance and VOR symptom provocation showed high abnormal proportions at initial assessment.

Discussion

Results indicate impairments to the VOR pathway may be present and driving symptom provocation. Vertical smooth pursuit and saccade findings underline the need to include these tasks in test batteries to comprehensively assess the integrity of OM and vestibular systems post-mTBI.

Implications

Findings demonstrate 1) added value in including symptom and performance-based measures in when OM and VOR assessments; 2) the relative stability of constructs measured beyond 3 months post mTBI.

The acute, systemic effects of aerobic exercise in recently concussed adolescent student-athletes: preliminary findings

OBJECTIVES

Examine the acute effects (pre-, during, post-intervention) of two different intensities of aerobic exercise or rest on autonomic, oculomotor, and vestibular function and symptom burden in patients with a recent sport-related concussion (SRC) and compare their responses to sex-matched, age-stratified, non-concussed (HEALTHY) student-athletes.

METHODS

Student-athletes between the ages of 13 and 18 that presented to the sports medicine clinic within Day 3-7 post-SRC and from local schools were recruited for a randomized controlled trial (RCT). The participants were administered the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS), King-Devick (K-D), and Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) before and after the intervention. Heart rate variability (HRV) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were collected before, during, and after the intervention. The intervention was either a single, 20-min session of treadmill walking at 40% (40HR) or 60% of age-predicted max heart rate (60HR), or seated, rest (NOEX).

RESULTS

30 participants completed the intervention with the SRC group treated 4.5 ± 1.3 days post-injury. Pre-exercise HRV and MAP were significantly different (p's < 0.001) during treatment but returned to pre-exercise values within 5 min of recovery in both the SRC and HEALTHY groups. Both the SRC and HEALTHY groups exhibited similar reductions pre- to post-intervention for symptom severity and count (p's < 0.05), three VOMS items (p's < 0.05) but not K-D time.

CONCLUSIONS

To date, this is the first adolescent RCT to report the acute, systemic effects of aerobic exercise on recently concussed adolescent athletes. The interventions appeared safe in SRC participants, were well-tolerated, and provided brief therapeutic benefit.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT03575455.