Measuring Brain Haemodynamic Activity and Afferent Visual Function: A Preliminary Study on the Relationship Between fNIRS, the King–Devick Test and Suspected Sport-Related Concussions
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) may help quantify changes in brain haemodynamics during sport-related concussions (SRCs). This study compared post-match prefrontal cortex (PFC) brain haemodynamics measured by fNIRS during the King–-Devick test...
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2025-01-01
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| author | Mark Hecimovich Terence Moriarty Doug King Tricia Majewski-Schrage Kate Hermsen |
| author_facet | Mark Hecimovich Terence Moriarty Doug King Tricia Majewski-Schrage Kate Hermsen |
| author_sort | Mark Hecimovich |
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| description | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) may help quantify changes in brain haemodynamics during sport-related concussions (SRCs). This study compared post-match prefrontal cortex (PFC) brain haemodynamics measured by fNIRS during the King–-Devick test (K-DT) with players suspected of having sustained an SRC. It was hypothesized that changes in the K-DT would correspond with brain haemodynamic processes. <b>Methods</b>: Twenty-two male and female collegiate rugby players (six males and twenty-two females; age range: 18–22) completed a baseline K-DT+fNIRS assessment. Over the course of two to three matches, all participants were invited to complete at least one post-match K-DT+fNIRS assessment. If a player was suspected of having sustained an SRC, they were re-assessed with the K-DT+fNIRS. If a participant who was not suspected of having sustained an SRC performed worse on the K-DT post-match, they were included in the participant category of ‘concussion’ for the analysis. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed. Test–retest reliability was calculated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). A Pearson correlation coefficient (<i>r</i>) assessed the linear relationship between the changes in the K-DT and the measurements of the left and right PFC. <b>Results</b>: Differences were identified in the K-DT for the players with a suspected concussive injury post-match (χ2(1) =5.0; <i>p</i> = 0.0253; z = −2.0; <i>p</i> = 0.0431; d = 0.16). There were also significant differences between the baseline and post-match results for all concussed players in the right PFC (t(8) = 250; <i>p</i> = 0.0371; d = 0.92) and for the concussed females in the right PFC (t(6) = 2.78; <i>p</i> = 0.0319; d = 0.52). There were no correlations between the K-DT and PFC values in the suspected concussed group. <b>Conclusions</b>: The SRC group had decreased cognitive performance and a notable change in PFC activation, while the non-concussed group showed an increase in the activation in the PFC and no change in cognitive performance scores. This represents a possible acute adjustment in brain haemodynamics and provides insight into how SRCs can negatively impact cognitive performance. |
| format | Article |
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| spelling | doaj-art-ec67bc2d888143ca87e6bcadaba8ff2e2025-08-20T01:48:58ZengMDPI AGPhysiologia2673-94882025-01-0151410.3390/physiologia5010004Measuring Brain Haemodynamic Activity and Afferent Visual Function: A Preliminary Study on the Relationship Between fNIRS, the King–Devick Test and Suspected Sport-Related ConcussionsMark Hecimovich0Terence Moriarty1Doug King2Tricia Majewski-Schrage3Kate Hermsen4Department of Kinesiology and Athletic Training, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, USADepartment of Kinesiology and Athletic Training, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, USAAuckland Bioengineering Institute, The University of Auckland, Auckland 1142, New ZealandDepartment of Kinesiology and Athletic Training, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614, USAHawkeye Community College, Athletico Physical Therapy-Waterloo South, 1655 East San Marnan Drive, Suite A, Waterloo, IA 50702, USA<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) may help quantify changes in brain haemodynamics during sport-related concussions (SRCs). This study compared post-match prefrontal cortex (PFC) brain haemodynamics measured by fNIRS during the King–-Devick test (K-DT) with players suspected of having sustained an SRC. It was hypothesized that changes in the K-DT would correspond with brain haemodynamic processes. <b>Methods</b>: Twenty-two male and female collegiate rugby players (six males and twenty-two females; age range: 18–22) completed a baseline K-DT+fNIRS assessment. Over the course of two to three matches, all participants were invited to complete at least one post-match K-DT+fNIRS assessment. If a player was suspected of having sustained an SRC, they were re-assessed with the K-DT+fNIRS. If a participant who was not suspected of having sustained an SRC performed worse on the K-DT post-match, they were included in the participant category of ‘concussion’ for the analysis. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed. Test–retest reliability was calculated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). A Pearson correlation coefficient (<i>r</i>) assessed the linear relationship between the changes in the K-DT and the measurements of the left and right PFC. <b>Results</b>: Differences were identified in the K-DT for the players with a suspected concussive injury post-match (χ2(1) =5.0; <i>p</i> = 0.0253; z = −2.0; <i>p</i> = 0.0431; d = 0.16). There were also significant differences between the baseline and post-match results for all concussed players in the right PFC (t(8) = 250; <i>p</i> = 0.0371; d = 0.92) and for the concussed females in the right PFC (t(6) = 2.78; <i>p</i> = 0.0319; d = 0.52). There were no correlations between the K-DT and PFC values in the suspected concussed group. <b>Conclusions</b>: The SRC group had decreased cognitive performance and a notable change in PFC activation, while the non-concussed group showed an increase in the activation in the PFC and no change in cognitive performance scores. This represents a possible acute adjustment in brain haemodynamics and provides insight into how SRCs can negatively impact cognitive performance.https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9488/5/1/4fNIRSbrain haemodynamicsprefrontal cortexKing–Devick |
| spellingShingle | Mark Hecimovich Terence Moriarty Doug King Tricia Majewski-Schrage Kate Hermsen Measuring Brain Haemodynamic Activity and Afferent Visual Function: A Preliminary Study on the Relationship Between fNIRS, the King–Devick Test and Suspected Sport-Related Concussions Physiologia fNIRS brain haemodynamics prefrontal cortex King–Devick |
| title | Measuring Brain Haemodynamic Activity and Afferent Visual Function: A Preliminary Study on the Relationship Between fNIRS, the King–Devick Test and Suspected Sport-Related Concussions |
| title_full | Measuring Brain Haemodynamic Activity and Afferent Visual Function: A Preliminary Study on the Relationship Between fNIRS, the King–Devick Test and Suspected Sport-Related Concussions |
| title_fullStr | Measuring Brain Haemodynamic Activity and Afferent Visual Function: A Preliminary Study on the Relationship Between fNIRS, the King–Devick Test and Suspected Sport-Related Concussions |
| title_full_unstemmed | Measuring Brain Haemodynamic Activity and Afferent Visual Function: A Preliminary Study on the Relationship Between fNIRS, the King–Devick Test and Suspected Sport-Related Concussions |
| title_short | Measuring Brain Haemodynamic Activity and Afferent Visual Function: A Preliminary Study on the Relationship Between fNIRS, the King–Devick Test and Suspected Sport-Related Concussions |
| title_sort | measuring brain haemodynamic activity and afferent visual function a preliminary study on the relationship between fnirs the king devick test and suspected sport related concussions |
| topic | fNIRS brain haemodynamics prefrontal cortex King–Devick |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9488/5/1/4 |
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