Baseline Concussion Clinical Measures Are Related to Sensory Organization and Balance

This study aimed to examine relationships among baseline demographics, symptom severity, computerized neurocognitive outcomes, and balance performance in collegiate athletes. Methods Collegiate varsity athletes (N = 207, age = 19.3 ± 1.0 yr) participating in an ongoing clinical research program who completed concussion baseline assessments including a demographic questionnaire, a graded symptom checklist, a neurocognitive assessment, and the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) were included in this study. The SOT composite equilibrium score (COMP) and three sensory ratio scores—vestibular (VEST), visual (VIS), and somatosensory (SOM)—were used to describe athletes’ overall sensory organization and ability to use input from each sensory system to maintain balance. Separate stepwise multiple linear regression models were performed for each SOT outcome. Total symptom severity level and CNS Vital Signs domain scores served as predictor variables. Results Stepwise regression models for COMP (R2 = 0.18, F4,201 = 11.29, P
Source: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise - Category: Sports Medicine Tags: CLINICAL SCIENCES Source Type: research