Date Presented 04/22/2023
OT has a role in assessing sports-related concussion symptoms in children to prevent inappropriate return to play and further injuries that extend the length of recovery. Dual-task assessments have increased sensitivity to detect these deficits.
Primary Author and Speaker: Ghazala T. Saleem
Additional Authors and Speakers: Jillian Lawton, Gianna Yurchak, Adam T. Sing, Anna Kromer
Contributing Authors: Anna Kromer, Jillian Lawton, Adam T. Sing, Pak Hin Tang, Gianna Yurchak, Ghazala T. Saleem
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of dual-task activities on postural control and stability in children diagnosed with a sport-related concussion.
DESIGN: The study utilized a cross-sectional design. The participants were recruited using a convenience sampling method by putting flyers up around the community and contacting local schools. The study recruited 16 participants who were divided into two groups for data collection: a control group and a concussion group.
METHOD: The participants in the control (N=10) and concussion group (N=6) ranged from 8-17 years old. All participants completed subjective assessments including; GAD-7, PHQ-9, ABC Scale, and PCSS, in addition to the objective assessments including; MoCA, Computerized Posturography Assessment, BESS. Independent t-tests were used to analyze data. The primary outcome variable is the difference in the number of errors from single to dual-task activities, which represents either the motor-motor or motor-cognitive change score.
RESULTS: This study revealed statistically significant differences between the concussion group and control group for the motor-motor change score (p = .046). The results from the MoCA were significantly different between the two groups (p = .001). The results from the PANESS were significantly different as well (p = .011).
DISCUSSION: Dual-motor activities reveal more underlying postural control deficits compared to that of single-task activities for the concussion group. Therefore, dual-motor activities should be used as the primary assessment to detect impairments rather than single-task activities due to the increased sensitivity. Occupational therapists have a pivotal role in understanding and assessing these deficits in order to promote better outcomes in patients’ health and well-being. Further research on dual tasking activities is required to identify underlying postural impairments within children with concussion.
References
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Howell, D. R., Mayer, A. R., Master, C. L., Leddy, J., Zemek, R., Meier, T. B., … Meehan, W. P. (2020). Prognosis for Persistent Post Concussion Symptoms using a Multifaceted Objective Gait and Balance Assessment Approach. Gait & Posture, 79, 53–59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gaitpost.2020.04.013
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