RESEARCH SUMMARY: Can balance deficits following a concussion accurately be measured with self-reported symptoms?
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Original research title: ‘Self-reported balance status is not a reliable indicator of balance performance in adolescents at one-month post-concussion’ (Rochefort et al., 2017)
Authors: Rochefort, C; Walters-Stewart, C; Aglipay, M; Barrowman, N; Zemek, R; Sveistrup, H.
Year: 2017
Purpose
To determine if self-reported balance symptoms are able to accurately assess balance deficits following a concussion in adolescents.
Takeaway
Balance deficits following a concussion should be assessed using metrics derived from centre of pressure measurements, as opposed to self-reported balance symptom which are unreliable.
Key findings
- One month after being concussed, adolescents continue to suffer balance deficits even when they report no symptoms.
- Balance deficits can be assessed during balance tests using the:
- Mean Velocity – Anterior-Posterior
- Mean Velocity – Medial-Lateral
- Area of CoP Ellipse metrics.
Practical Implications
- Balance deficits are better identified with measures of Centre of Pressure rather than self-reported symptoms following a concussion in adolescents.
- Balance deficits post-concussion can be easily identified with measures of the Centre of Pressure.
- Both single and dual-task balance conditions identify balance deficits in adolescents at one-month post-concussion.
Read the full research paper here.
Objectively assess balance with ForceDecks Centre of Pressure testing
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ForceDecks balance tests
ForceDecks includes three balance tests that enable users to measure an individual’s Centre of Pressure (CoP).ForceDecks measures CoP during the below tests:
- Quiet Stand (QSB)
- Single Leg Stand (SLSB)
- Single Leg Range of Stability (SLROSB)
Balance test parameters
Once the balance test is selected, you can set the following test parameters to increase assessment difficultly:
- Eyes open / closed
- Stable / unstable surface Secondary task
- Test length (seconds)
During the test recording, a trace of the CoP for the left and /or right leg is displayed instantly onscreen. Once the test is completed, ForceDecks auto-analyses the results.
Interested in learning more about balance testing with VALD’s ForceDecks?
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