Concussion, Brain, Sports Injury
Conditions
Brief summary
The investigators aim to use a repeated measures observational study utilising a battery of multimodal assessment tools (symptom, cognitive, visual, motor). The investigators aim to recruit 200 rugby players (male and female) from University Rugby Union teams and local amateur rugby clubs in the North East of England. The multimodal battery assessment used in this study will compare metrics between digital methods and against traditional assessment.
Detailed description
Background: Pragmatic challenges remain in the monitoring and return to play (RTP) decisions following suspected Sports Related Concussion (SRC). Reliance on traditional approaches (pen and paper) means players readiness for RTP is often based on self-reported symptom recognition as a marker for full physiological recovery. Non-digital approaches also limit opportunity for robust data analysis which may hinder understanding of the interconnected nature and relationships in deficit recovery. Digital approaches may provide more objectivity to measure and monitor impairments in SRC. Crucially, there is dearth of protocols for SRC assessment and digital devices have yet to be tested concurrently (multimodal) in SRC rugby union assessment. Here the investigators propose a multimodal protocol for digital assessment in SRC, which could be used to enhance traditional sports concussion assessment approach. Methods: The investigators aim to use a repeated measures observational study utilising a battery of multimodal assessment tools (symptom, cognitive, visual, motor). The investigators aim to recruit 200 rugby players (male and female) from University Rugby Union teams and local amateur rugby clubs in the North East of England. The multimodal battery assessment used in this study will compare metrics between digital methods and against traditional assessment. Conclusion: This paper outlines a protocol for a multimodal approach for the use of digital technologies to augment traditional approaches to SRC, which may better inform RTP in rugby union. Findings may shed light on the new ways of working with digital tools in SRC. Multimodal approaches may enhance understanding of the interconnected nature of impairments and provide scalable, more objective assessment and RTP in SRC.
Interventions
None listed
Sponsors
Northumbria University
Study design
Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
PROSPECTIVE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* 18 years; * Have minimal cognitive impairment, defined as a score between 0 and 8 on the Short Blessed test for cognitive function; * English as a first language or fluency. * Those that have an mTBI/Concussion during the season must have a diagnosis of mTBI from a healthcare professional (physiotherapist or medic) based upon standard criteria or identified head injury from contact sport.
Exclusion criteria
* Medical history of a neurological illness that could grossly affect balance or coordination (such as. stroke, greater than mild TBI, lower-extremity amputation, recent lower extremity or spine orthopaedic injury requiring a profile). * Be a pregnant female * Have past history of peripheral vestibular pathology or eye movement deficits. * Be unable to abstain from medication/alcohol 24 hours in advance of testing
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Stride velocity (cms-1), mean ± standard deviation) | Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months | Altered free-living, quality-based gait/walking patterns measured by digital intertial wearable |
| Stance time (seconds, mean ± standard deviation) | Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months | Altered free-living, quality-based gait/walking patterns measured by digital intertial wearable |
| Stride time (seconds, mean ± standard deviation) | Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months | Altered free-living, quality-based gait/walking patterns measured by digital intertial wearable |
| Swing time (seconds, mean ± standard deviation) | Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months | Altered free-living, quality-based gait/walking patterns measured by digital intertial wearable |
| Stride length (cm, mean ± standard deviation) | Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months | Altered free-living, quality-based gait/walking patterns measured by digital intertial wearable |
| Step time (mean ± standard deviation) | Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months | Altered free-living, quality-based gait/walking patterns measured by digital intertial wearable |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of turns per hour (n, mean ± standard deviation) | Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months | Altered free-living, quality-based turning patterns measured by digital intertial wearable |
| Turn angle (°, mean ± standard deviation) | Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months | Altered free-living, quality-based turning patterns measured by digital intertial wearable |
| Turn duration (seconds, mean ± standard deviation)) | Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months | Altered free-living, quality-based turning patterns measured by digital intertial wearable |
| Turn velocity (°/seconds, mean ± standard deviation)) | Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months | Altered free-living, quality-based turning patterns measured by digital intertial wearable |
Countries
United Kingdom
Contacts
Primary ContactDylan Powell, MSc
Backup ContactSam Stuart, Phd
Outcome results
None listed