Effect of Concussion on Reaction Time and Neurocognitive Factors: Implications for Subsequent Lower Extremity Injury
# Background Recent evidence has demonstrated that athletes are at greater risk for a lower extremity injury following a return-to-sport (RTS) after sport-related concussion (SRC). The reason for this is not completely clear, but it has been hypothesized that persistent deficits in neurocognitive f...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
North American Sports Medicine Institute
2022-08-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.36648 |
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| author | Tyler Ray Daniel Fleming Daniel Le Mallory Faherty Carolyn Killelea Jeffrey Bytomski Tracy Ray Larry Lemak Corina Martinez Michael F. Bergeron Timothy Sell |
| author_facet | Tyler Ray Daniel Fleming Daniel Le Mallory Faherty Carolyn Killelea Jeffrey Bytomski Tracy Ray Larry Lemak Corina Martinez Michael F. Bergeron Timothy Sell |
| author_sort | Tyler Ray |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | # Background
Recent evidence has demonstrated that athletes are at greater risk for a lower extremity injury following a return-to-sport (RTS) after sport-related concussion (SRC). The reason for this is not completely clear, but it has been hypothesized that persistent deficits in neurocognitive factors may be a contributing factor.
# Hypothesis/Purpose
This study assessed simple reaction time, processing speed, attention, and concentration in a group of athletes, post-concussion upon clearance for RTS for potential deficits that may result in slower reaction time, processing speed, attention, and concentration. The researchers hypothesized that the concussion group would demonstrate worse scores on both assessments compared to a sex-, age-, and sport-matched cohort.
# Study Design
Case-controlled study
# Methods
Twelve participants who had suffered a SRC and eight healthy individuals who were matched to the concussed group by age, sex, and sport were evaluated. Those with a concussion had been cleared for RTS by a licensed healthcare provider. Each participant underwent neurocognitive tests that included a simple reaction time test (SRT) and the King-Devick Test (K-D). Independent t-tests were performed to compare the groups with significance set a priori at p\<0.05.
# Results
There was a significant difference (p =0.024) between groups for SRT with the concussed group demonstrating a better SRT than the control group. There were no significant differences (p =0.939) between the groups for the K-D.
# Conclusion
With no significant differences between groups in the K-D assessment and, surprisingly, the concussed group having a better SRT compared to the healthy group, our hypothesis was not supported.
# Clinical Relevance
These specific measures, compounded with extensive post-concussion time lapse until RTS clearance, may have limited capacity in revealing potential persistent deficits in relevant neurocognitive characteristics.
# Level of Evidence
Level of Evidence 3 |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3f6bf65d9cde477499ac78584f201d21 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2159-2896 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2022-08-01 |
| publisher | North American Sports Medicine Institute |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| spelling | doaj-art-3f6bf65d9cde477499ac78584f201d212025-02-11T20:28:09ZengNorth American Sports Medicine InstituteInternational Journal of Sports Physical Therapy2159-28962022-08-01175Effect of Concussion on Reaction Time and Neurocognitive Factors: Implications for Subsequent Lower Extremity InjuryTyler RayDaniel FlemingDaniel LeMallory FahertyCarolyn KilleleaJeffrey BytomskiTracy RayLarry LemakCorina MartinezMichael F. BergeronTimothy Sell# Background Recent evidence has demonstrated that athletes are at greater risk for a lower extremity injury following a return-to-sport (RTS) after sport-related concussion (SRC). The reason for this is not completely clear, but it has been hypothesized that persistent deficits in neurocognitive factors may be a contributing factor. # Hypothesis/Purpose This study assessed simple reaction time, processing speed, attention, and concentration in a group of athletes, post-concussion upon clearance for RTS for potential deficits that may result in slower reaction time, processing speed, attention, and concentration. The researchers hypothesized that the concussion group would demonstrate worse scores on both assessments compared to a sex-, age-, and sport-matched cohort. # Study Design Case-controlled study # Methods Twelve participants who had suffered a SRC and eight healthy individuals who were matched to the concussed group by age, sex, and sport were evaluated. Those with a concussion had been cleared for RTS by a licensed healthcare provider. Each participant underwent neurocognitive tests that included a simple reaction time test (SRT) and the King-Devick Test (K-D). Independent t-tests were performed to compare the groups with significance set a priori at p\<0.05. # Results There was a significant difference (p =0.024) between groups for SRT with the concussed group demonstrating a better SRT than the control group. There were no significant differences (p =0.939) between the groups for the K-D. # Conclusion With no significant differences between groups in the K-D assessment and, surprisingly, the concussed group having a better SRT compared to the healthy group, our hypothesis was not supported. # Clinical Relevance These specific measures, compounded with extensive post-concussion time lapse until RTS clearance, may have limited capacity in revealing potential persistent deficits in relevant neurocognitive characteristics. # Level of Evidence Level of Evidence 3https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.36648 |
| spellingShingle | Tyler Ray Daniel Fleming Daniel Le Mallory Faherty Carolyn Killelea Jeffrey Bytomski Tracy Ray Larry Lemak Corina Martinez Michael F. Bergeron Timothy Sell Effect of Concussion on Reaction Time and Neurocognitive Factors: Implications for Subsequent Lower Extremity Injury International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy |
| title | Effect of Concussion on Reaction Time and Neurocognitive Factors: Implications for Subsequent Lower Extremity Injury |
| title_full | Effect of Concussion on Reaction Time and Neurocognitive Factors: Implications for Subsequent Lower Extremity Injury |
| title_fullStr | Effect of Concussion on Reaction Time and Neurocognitive Factors: Implications for Subsequent Lower Extremity Injury |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effect of Concussion on Reaction Time and Neurocognitive Factors: Implications for Subsequent Lower Extremity Injury |
| title_short | Effect of Concussion on Reaction Time and Neurocognitive Factors: Implications for Subsequent Lower Extremity Injury |
| title_sort | effect of concussion on reaction time and neurocognitive factors implications for subsequent lower extremity injury |
| url | https://doi.org/10.26603/001c.36648 |
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