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

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

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Available for download on Tuesday, May 07, 2024

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