Graduation Date
Spring 2019
Document Type
Thesis
Program
Master of Science degree with a major in Kinesiology, option Exercise Science
Committee Chair Name
Dr. Justus Ortega
Committee Chair Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Second Committee Member Name
Dr. Whitney Ogle
Second Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Third Committee Member Name
Beth Larson
Third Committee Member Affiliation
HSU Faculty or Staff
Keywords
Concussion, Dual-task, Tandem gait, Gait, Sideline assessment tools, Cognitive, Balance, Motor control, Sports, Traumatic brain injuries
Subject Categories
Kinesiology
Abstract
Identifying concussions occurs with a battery of cognitive and motor tests. However, these tests are performed independently as primary tasks. Research has demonstrated amplified motor differences due to concussion when performing simultaneous cognitive tasks (i.e. dual-tasks). The Tandem Gait Test (TGT) is used in concussion assessment and has only moderate sensitivity and specificity alone. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of concussion on TGT performance with secondary cognitive tasks. Six concussed participants (age 22.6 ± 2.8) and fourteen healthy participants (age 23.8 ± 2.7) were recruited through the North Coast Concussion Program within 13 days (7 ± 3.3) following their concussion and performed TGT and dual-task TGT with cognitive tests: 1) 5-digit retention (5D), 2) 6-digit retention (6D), 3) months in reverse order (MO), 4) counting backwards by 3 (B3), and 5) an auditory stroop (AS) test. Concussed participants had slower TGT (p=.018) and were 30% slower during dual-task TGT (p=.043). The greatest TGT group difference was during the B3, 6D, and MO tasks (B3: p=.001; 6D: p=.008; MO: p=.01). There were notable differences in cognitive performance during the 6D dual-task TGT (p=.01). Our findings suggest a dual-task TGT with 6D may be utilized as a more robust sideline concussion test.
Citation Style
Experimental Brain Research: https://www.springer.com/biomed/neuroscience/journal/221?detailsPage=pltci_1060706
Recommended Citation
Lomeli, Angel, "The effects of concussion on Tandem Gait performance with secondary cognitive tasks" (2019). Cal Poly Humboldt theses and projects. 260.
https://digitalcommons.humboldt.edu/etd/260