Post-Concussion Symptoms
Conditions
Brief summary
This study will examine whether a newly designed monitor for computers is better tolerated by concussed patients than the standard computer monitor. The information gathered from this study will contribute to the understanding of the persisting concussion symptoms including computer screen intolerance and photosensitivity, with the aim of helping those with concussions.
Detailed description
The study will involve completing a reading task on the standard computer monitor and the newly designed computer monitor. First, participants will be asked to rate their pre-test symptoms using a SCAT-III symptom checklist. Then they will read a short story and watch moving images on one of the devices (standard computer monitor or the newly designed computer monitor) for 30 minutes or until persisting concussion symptoms of moderate severity arise. Then, they will be asked to rate their post-test clinical symptoms using a SCAT-III symptom checklist. On a second visit, 7 to 10 days later, they will do the same activity on the other device. Each visit will take 60 minutes. The study will involve 100 patients with a history of concussion and computer screen intolerance.
Interventions
DEVICENew computer monitor
The device to be studied is a newly designed computer monitor and will be compared with the standard computer monitor.
Sponsors
University Health Network, Toronto
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE (Subject)
Intervention model description
Participants will read a short story and watch moving images for 30 minutes or until any of their persisting concussion symptoms will arise on the standard computer monitor and the newly designed computer monitor in two visits.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 65 Years
Healthy volunteers
No
Inclusion criteria
* Diagnosis of persisting concussion symptoms (1 month to 5 year since concussion) * Must speak English * Must provide written consent * No alcohol/recreational drug use within 24 hours of intervention * No other neurological, psychiatric or ocular conditions
Exclusion criteria
* No diagnosis of Persisting Concussion Symptoms * Under the age of 18, over the age of 65 * Other neurological/psychiatric or ocular conditions * Alcohol or recreational drug use within 24 hours of intervention
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The investigators believe that patients will subjectively perceive the new monitor to be a more effective reading device than the standard monitor. | Two visits 7 to 10 days apart | SCAT-III Symptoms checklist will be completed before and after study tasks (reading an excerpt and watching a moving image) to measure symptoms number and severity arising after the study task on a standard monitor and compare it to the newly designed monitor. |
Countries
Canada
Contacts
Primary ContactMozhgan Khodadadi, MA
Outcome results
None listed