RESEARCH SUMMARY: Can balance deficits following a concussion accurately be measured with self-reported symptoms?

Research SummaryLast Updated:

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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