Dizziness, Psychosocial Function, and Postural Stability Following Sport-Related Concussion

Cervical spine proprioception and vestibular/oculomotor function: An observational study comparing young adults with and without a concussion history

OBJECTIVE

To investigate dizziness, vestibular/oculomotor symptoms, and cervical spine proprioception among adults with/without a concussion history.

METHODS

Adults ages 18-40 years with/without a concussion history completed: dizziness handicap inventory (DHI), visio-vestibular exam (VVE), and head repositioning accuracy (HRA, assesses cervical spine proprioception). Linear regression models were used to assess relationships between (1) concussion/no concussion history group and VVE, HRA, and DHI, and (2) DHI with HRA and VVE for the concussion history group.

RESULTS

We enrolled 42 participants with concussion history (age = 26.5 ± 4.5 years, 79% female, mean = 1.4± 0.8 years post-concussion) and 46 without (age = 27.0± 3.8 years, 74% female). Concussion history was associated with worse HRA (β = 1.23, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.77, 1.68; p < 0.001), more positive VVE subtests (β = 3.01, 95%CI: 2.32, 3.70; p < 0.001), and higher DHI scores (β = 9.79, 95%CI: 6.27, 13.32; p < 0.001) after covariate adjustment. For the concussion history group, number of positive VVE subtests was significantly associated with DHI score (β = 3.78, 95%CI: 2.30, 5.26; p < 0.001) after covariate adjustment, while HRA error was not (β = 1.10, 95%CI: -2.32, 4.51; p = 0.52).

CONCLUSIONS

Vestibular/oculomotor symptom provocation and cervical spine proprioception impairments may persist chronically (i.e., 3 years) after concussion. Assessing dizziness, vestibular/oculomotor and cervical spine function after concussion may inform patient-specific treatments to address ongoing dysfunction.

The Diagnostic Utility of Cervical Spine Proprioception for Adolescent Concussion

OBJECTIVE

Cervical spine proprioception may be impaired after concussion. Our objective was to determine the diagnostic utility of cervical spine proprioception for adolescent concussion.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Adolescents ≤18 days of concussion and uninjured controls.

INTERVENTIONS

N/A.

MAIN OUTCOMES

Head repositioning accuracy (HRA) testing, a measure of cervical spine proprioception. The HRA test involved patients relocating their head back to a neutral starting position with eyes closed after maximal cervical spine flexion, extension, and right and left rotations. The overall HRA error score was the mean error (distance from the starting point to self-reported return to neutral) across 12 trials: 3 trials in each direction. We used t-tests to compare group means and logistic regression (outcome = group, predictor = HRA, covariates) to calculate odds ratios. We used a receiver operator characteristic curve to evaluate area under the curve (AUC) and calculate the optimal HRA cutpoint to distinguish concussion from controls.

RESULTS

We enrolled and tested 46 participants with concussion (age = 15.8 ± 1.3 years, 59% female, mean = 11.3 ± 3.3 days postconcussion) and 83 uninjured controls (age = 16.1 ± 1.4 years, 88% female). The concussion group had significantly worse HRA than controls (4.3 ± 1.6 vs 2.9 ± 0.7 degrees, P < 0.001, Cohen d = 1.19). The univariable HRA model AUC was 0.81 (95% CI = 0.73, 0.90). After adjusting for age, sex, and concussion history, the multivariable model AUC improved to 0.85 (95% CI = 0.77, 0.92). The model correctly classified 80% of participants as concussion/control at a 3.5-degree cutpoint.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents with concussion demonstrated worse cervical spine proprioception than uninjured controls. Head repositioning accuracy may offer diagnostic utility for subacute concussion.

Exercising More Than 150 min/wk After Concussion Is Associated With Sleep Quality Improvements

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether a high volume of aerobic exercise after concussion (>150 min/wk) is associated with improved sleep quality over a 1-month period. We hypothesized that more than 150 min/wk of exercise would be associated with improved sleep quality across concussion recovery.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort observational study.

SETTING

Sports medicine clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

Adolescents initially tested 8.4 ± 3.5 (range, 2-18) days postconcussion who returned for a follow-up assessment 34.3 ± 7.7 (range: 20-49) days postconcussion.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants completed the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory. No specific exercise or sleep recommendations were given beyond what their treating physician provided. Between study visits, participants recorded exercise performed via wrist-worn actigraphy. We calculated average exercise minutes per week and grouped participants as those who exercised more than 150 min/wk versus those who exercised 150 min/wk or less.

RESULTS

Thirty-six adolescents participated. Fifteen (42%) recorded more than 150 min/wk of aerobic exercise (age = 14.0 ± 1.7 years; 47% female; mean = 5.6 ± 1.2 d/wk of exercise; mean = 49.2 ± 17.5 min/session), and 21 recorded 150 min/wk or less of aerobic exercise (age = 15.0 ± 1.9 years; 76% female; mean = 2.7 ± 1.6 d/wk of exercise; mean = 30.2 ± 7.8 min/session). There were no significant group differences in the proportion of those who self-reported beginning physical activity prior to enrollment (47% vs 33%; P = .42) or for initial sleep quality rating (8.0 ± 3.7 vs 8.6 ± 4.1; P = .67) or initial concussion symptom severity rating (34.9 ± 28.0 vs 42.6 ± 25.9; P = .40). The group that exercised more than 150 min/wk between visits demonstrated significantly greater median PSQI rating improvements than those who exercised 150 min/wk or less, with a large effect size noted (median change [interquartile range] = 5 [3, 7] vs 1 [0, 4]; P = .008; Cohen d = 0.96).

CONCLUSION

Current recommendations suggest that subsymptom aerobic exercise can be beneficial after concussion. Our findings indicate that an exercise volume of more than 150 min/wk led to greater sleep quality improvements than those who exercised below this level.

Postconcussion Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity Predicts Anxiety Severity among Adolescent Athletes

PURPOSE

This study aimed to examine how moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) during concussion recovery influences self-reported anxiety symptoms at follow-up assessment. We hypothesized that more MVPA after concussion would be associated with lower anxiety rating at follow-up.

METHODS

We performed a prospective study of participants aged 13-18 yr initially assessed within 14 d of diagnosed concussion. Participants rated concussion symptoms using the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory and were provided a wrist-worn actigraphy device to track activity for 1 wk after assessment. At follow-up assessment, participants rated anxiety symptoms using the four-question Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) anxiety subscale. Each question ranged from 1 (never) to 5 (almost always), with an overall score range of 4-20. For univariable analysis, we calculated correlation coefficients between MVPA and PROMIS anxiety subscale scores. We then created a multiple linear regression model with follow-up PROMIS anxiety subscale score as the outcome and MVPA, sex, initial symptom severity, and preconcussion anxiety as predictors.

RESULTS

We enrolled and initially tested 55 participants, and 48 were included in the final analysis (age, 14.6±2.7 yr; 56% female; initial assessment, 7.3± 3.1 d; follow-up assessment, 42.0±29.7 d). We observed an inverse and low correlation between MVPA and follow-up PROMIS anxiety subscale T-scores ( r = -0.30, P = 0.04). Multivariable regression results indicated that MVPA ( β = -5.30; 95% confidence interval (CI), -10.58 to -0.01), initial Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory score ( β = 0.11; 95% CI, 0.03 to 0.19), and preconcussion anxiety ( β = 5.56; 95% CI, 0.12 to 11.0), but not sex ( β = -2.60; 95% CI, -7.14, to 1.94), were associated with follow-up PROMIS anxiety subscale T-scores.

CONCLUSIONS

After adjusting for covariates, more MVPA early after concussion predicted lower PROMIS anxiety subscale scores at follow-up. Although initial concussion symptom severity and preconcussion anxiety were also associated with follow-up PROMIS anxiety subscale score, MVPA represents a modifiable factor that may contribute to lower anxiety symptoms.

The association between sleep and physical activity with persisting postconcussion symptoms among adolescent athletes

BACKGROUND

Both sleep duration and physical activity following concussion may influence subsequent recovery. Objective measurement of sleep and physical activity behavior via wearable technology may provide insights into their association with concussion recovery.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether sleep behavior (eg, duration, timing) and/or physical activity (steps/day, or exercise frequency, duration, intensity) in the first month after adolescent sports-related concussion are associated with developing persisting postconcussion symptoms (PPCS).

DESIGN

Case-control.

SETTING

Outpatient sports medicine clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

The study prospectively enrolled adolescent athletes who sustained a concussion (N = 49, age = 14.8 ± 1.8 years; 51% female) who were evaluated within 14 days of concussion (mean = 6.7 ± 2.7 days) and followed uvia sleep/physical activity monitoring for the subsequent 2 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants wore a monitor to track sleep (sleep time, wake time, and time spent awake in bed at night) and physical activity (average steps/day, exercise frequency, exercise duration) behavior for 2 weeks after initial assessment. Participants were followed until symptom resolution, and the main outcome of interest was development of PPCS (symptom duration >28 days). A multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine associations between physical activity and sleep behavior with PPCS.

RESULTS

Of the 49 participants, 47% (n = 23, mean symptom resolution = 57 ± 23 days post injury) developed PPCS and 53% (n = 26, mean symptom resolution = 15 ± 7 days post injury) did not. Univariable analysis showed that the PPCS group took fewer steps/day (7526 ± 2975 vs. 9803 ± 3786 steps/day; p = .02), exercised less frequently (2.5 ± 2.2 vs. 4.4 ± 2.1 days/week; p = .005), and spent more time in bed awake (1.2 ± 0.3 vs. 0.8 ± 0.3 h/night; p = .03) than the no PPCS group. Multivariable results indicated the odds of developing PPCS significantly increased with fewer exercise session/week (adjusted odds ratio = 1.96, 95% confidence interval = 1.09, 3.51, p = .024).

CONCLUSIONS

More exercise sessions that were longer than 15 minutes during concussion recovery was associated with a lower risk of developing PPCS, whereas sleep and other physical activity measures were not. Further studies regarding exercise duration and intensity are needed. Clinicians may consider advising patients to optimize sleep and physical activity during concussion recovery.

Hearing Status and Static Postural Control of Collegiate Athletes

CONTEXT

Because of the close proximity of the cochlea, vestibular apparatus, and shared neurovascular structures, the static postural control of athletes who are deaf or hard of hearing (D/HoH) may be different from that of athletes who are hearing. Limited research is available to quantify differences between these athletes.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of hearing status and stance condition on the static postural control of athletes.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Athletic training facilities.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Fifty-five collegiate varsity athletes who were D/HoH (age = 20.62 ± 1.80 years, height = 1.73 ± 0.08 m, mass = 80.34 ± 18.92 kg) and 100 university club athletes who were hearing (age = 20.11 ± 1.59 years, height = 1.76 ± 0.09 m, mass = 77.66 ± 14.37 kg).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Participants completed the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance on a triaxial force plate. Anteroposterior and mediolateral (ML) center-of-pressure (CoP) velocity, anteroposterior and ML CoP amplitude root mean square, and 95% ellipse sway area were calculated.

RESULTS

Athletes who were D/HoH had a larger CoP velocity, larger ML root mean square, and larger sway area than those who were hearing (P values < .01). A significant main effect of stance condition was observed for all postural control variables (P values < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

During the Modified Clinical Test of Sensory Interaction and Balance, athletes who were D/HoH demonstrated a larger sway area compared with athletes who were hearing. Therefore, individualized baseline assessments of static postural control may be warranted for athletes who are D/HoH as opposed to comparisons with existing normative data.

Early physical activity after concussion is associated with sleep quality but not dizziness among adolescent athletes

OBJECTIVES

To assess the association between early physical activity and post-concussion sleep quality, dizziness, and postural stability among adolescents with concussion compared to uninjured controls.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional.

METHODS

Adolescents ages 13-18 years assessed within 14 days post-concussion and uninjured controls. Those with concussion reported if they participated in physical activity between the concussion and assessment. Participants completed the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and single/dual-task tandem gait.

RESULTS

We enrolled 34 participants with concussion (early physical activity: n = 10, age = 15.8 ± 1.6 years, 70% female; no physical activity: n = 24, age = 16.0 ± 1.3 years, 50% female) and 21 uninjured controls (age = 16.0 ± 1.8 years, 48% female). Compared to controls, the no physical activity group reported worse sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: 3.8 ± 2.7 vs 8.0 ± 4.9 points, p = 0.002) and single-task tandem gait time (13.7 ± 3.4 vs 21.2 ± 8.1 s, p = 0.0006), while the early physical activity group did not (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: 3.8 ± 2.7 vs 5.8 ± 3.2 points, p = 0.38; single-task tandem gait: 13.7 ± 3.4 vs 19.0 ± 5.7 s, p = 0.08). Compared to controls, early/no physical activity groups reported worse dizziness (Dizziness Handicap Inventory: 2.0 ± 3.4 vs 22.9 ± 23.8 vs 27.4 ± 19.2 points, p < 0.0001). There were no significant between-group differences for dual-task tandem gait (24.1 ± 8.0 vs 24.8 ± 6.2 vs 26.6 ± 7.3 s, p = 0.57).

CONCLUSIONS

The no physical activity group reported worse sleep quality and slower single-task tandem gait than controls, while both groups reported similar sleep quality and tandem gait. Early physical activity may promote sleep quality and postural stability, or early physical activity may be a function of improved sleep and postural stability after concussion.

Post-Concussion Dizziness, Sleep Quality, and Postural Instability: A Cross-Sectional Investigation

CONTEXT

Dizziness, postural instability, and poor sleep quality are all commonly reported post-concussion and individually relate to poor outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To examine sleep quality and postural stability among adolescents who did and did not report dizziness within two weeks of concussion.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Participants ages 12-18 years within 14 days of concussion (n=58, 15.2±1.8 years; 50% female; 7.1±3.1 days post-injury) and uninjured controls (n=73; 15.8±1.3 years; 42% female).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Participants completed pre-injury and current dizziness ratings on the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI) and current sleep quality on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Participants also completed postural stability assessments (single/dual-task tandem gait and modified Balance Error Scoring System [mBESS]).

RESULTS

We grouped concussion patients into dizzy (n=21) or not dizzy (n=37) groups based on PCSI dizziness ratings: difference between current and pre-injury dizziness rating >3=dizzy; difference <3=not dizzy. The dizzy and not dizzy groups both reported significantly worse sleep quality than the control group (PSQI score: mean=9.6±3.7 vs 7.2±3.5 vs 4.3±2.6; p<0.001) upon univariable comparison. Similarly, the dizzy group performed slowest on single and dual-task tandem gait, followed by the not dizzy group, then the control group (single-task TG: mean= 27.2±11.7 sec vs 21.2±6.3 vs 14.7±3.6; p<0.001); (dual-task TG: mean=38.4±16.2 sec vs 29.9±7.2 vs 21.6±7.5; p<0.001). Both concussion groups demonstrated significantly more errors than the control group on the mBESS (mean=9.8±5.1 vs 6.9±5.8 vs 3.8±3.5; p<0.001). After controlling for total symptom severity in the multivariable model, tandem gait, but not mBESS or sleep quality, was associated with dizziness.

CONCLUSION

Individuals with post-concussion dizziness also demonstrated impaired tandem gait performance, while poor sleep quality was associated with total symptom severity. Identifying and treating the underlying dysfunction contributing to dizziness and postural instability may guide individualized rehabilitation strategies and facilitate recovery.

Patient perception of dizziness and imbalance does not correlate with gait measures in adolescent athletes post-concussion

BACKGROUND

Dizziness and gait impairments are commonly observed following a concussion, and both are associated with prolonged concussion recovery.

RESEARCH QUESTION

Is there a correlation between combined self-reported dizziness and balance impairment severity with objective gait impairments after concussion?

METHODS

Participants (n = 51; 15.4 ± 1.6 years; 51 % female; 7.3 ± 3.2 days post-injury) age 12-18 years self-reported ratings of dizziness and balance impairment using the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI) within 14 days of injury. Individual ratings of dizziness, balance impairment, and moving clumsily on the PCSI were combined to create a comprehensive dizziness and imbalance score. Participants also completed a smartphone-based gait evaluation under single-task and dual-task conditions. Correlation coefficients (Pearson r for normally distributed and Spearman rho for non-normally distributed variables) were calculated between self-reported symptoms and single and dual-task spatiotemporal gait parameters, specifically step velocity, step time, and step length.

RESULTS

Correlation coefficients indicated that there was low to no correlation between self-reported dizziness and imbalance impairment severity and smartphone-obtained gait parameters under single- or dual-task conditions, including step velocity (single-task: r=-0.22, p = 0.13; dual-task: r=-0.05, p = 0.72), step time (single-task: rho = 0.16, p = 0.27; dual-task: rho = 0.14, p = 0.33), and step length (single-task: r=-0.15, p = 0.30; dual-task: r = 0.03, p = 0.84).

SIGNIFICANCE

Self-reported dizziness and balance impairment severity within the first two weeks of concussion may not reflect objectively measured gait performance, given the lack of association between subjective symptom ratings and functional measures. Further, smartphone collected gait parameters may not provide the necessary sensitivity to detect an association with dizziness. The lack of significant correlation between self-reported symptoms and objective gait performance highlights the importance of using both objective and subjective measures to obtain a more complete picture of concussion deficits.