Using a Prism Paradigm to Identify Sensorimotor Impairment in Youth Following Concussion

Objective: The study assesses the intrarater reliability and utility of a prism paradigm to identify sensorimotor impairment following sports-related concussion in youth, (recent and history of concussion) compared with youth with no concussion. Setting: University of Calgary. Participants: Three groups of 40 ice hockey players ranging in age from 11 to 17 years were included: (1) no concussion; (2) recent concussion, mean number of days since last concussion 5 (95% CI, 4-6); and (3) history of concussion, mean number of days since last concussion 631 (95% CI, 505-730). Design: Cross-sectional study. Main Measures: The vestibulo-ocular reflex is a fundamental reflex of the central nervous system that stabilizes the position of the eyes during head movement and adapts when sensory input is altered (the bend of the light on the retina by prism glasses). The prism adaptation measure was the number of throws taken to adapt to wearing prism glasses while throwing balls at a central target. Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient (0.73; 95% CI, 0.55-0.84) and the Bland-Altman 95% levels of agreement (lower limit −18.5; 95% CI, −22.4 to −14.6); and upper limit 16.6; 95% CI, 12.7-20.5) reflected good intrarater reliability. Prism adaptation measures were significantly different across groups (F2,119 = 51.9, P
Source: The Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation - Category: Neurology Tags: Original Articles Source Type: research