Vision-Based Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Diagnostic Tests/Biomarkers: An Update and Reappraisal

2019 ◽  
pp. 187-193
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Sensory Motor ◽  
Educational Implications ◽  
Detection And Diagnosis

Detection and diagnosis of concussion/mild traumatic brain injury (C/mTBI) has a multitude of general vocational and avocational, as well as public health and educational, implications. A relatively short, focused, updated, highyield set of subjective and objective clinical vision tests are proposed that we and others have found to be assistive in the process. These vision tests are of a sensory, motor, and/or perceptual nature, many of which are relatively easy to implement in the standard, clinical environment.

Basic Neuro-Optometric Diagnostic Tests for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion: A Narrative Review, Perspective, Proposed Techniques and Protocols

2018 ◽  
pp. 157-169
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Diagnostic Test ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Test Battery ◽  
Narrative Review ◽  
Diagnostic Process ◽  
Clinical Tests ◽  
Scientific Rationale

Vision problems are common in individuals with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI)/concussion. However, a global conceptualization of the diagnostic process remains incomplete and practitioner dependent. Thus, a comprehensive diagnostic test battery is proposed to assist in the management of these patients. This battery includes a range of basic clinical tests of a sensory and motor nature, with all having a clinical and scientific rationale. These tests have been used by the authors for many years, with good success, and furthermore they have been found to be clinically useful and insightful.

Assessment of Three Clinical Tests for Evaluation of Concussion/Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

2021 ◽  
pp. 43-49
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
High Probability ◽  
Visual Motion ◽  
Critical Flicker Fusion ◽  
Clinical Tests ◽  
Test Specificity ◽  
Detection And Diagnosis ◽  
Flicker Fusion

A focus of both basic and clinical research on concussion/mild traumatic brain injury has been to ascertain which test, or combination of tests, is best for its detection. In the present retrospective analysis, three potential clinical tests were evaluated to determine which one, or combination, best differentiated between visually-symptomatic concussed (n=52) versus asymptomatic non-concussed (n=24) patients. The three tests were: distance horizontal vergence facility, peripheral visual motion, and critical flicker fusion. Each test was found to differentiate the two groups. The peripheral visual motion test was the best, with a sensitivity of 93.8% and a specificity of 83.3%. When this test was combined with the distance horizontal vergence facility test, specificity remained the same whereas sensitivity increased to 94.4%. Addition of the critical flicker fusion test did not affect these values. Thus, of the three, the combination of the peripheral visual motion and distance horizontal vergence facility tests has a high probability of assisting in concussion detection and diagnosis.

Advanced Neuro-Optometric Diagnostic Tests for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion: A Narrative Review, Proposed Techniques and Protocols

2019 ◽  
pp. 19-30
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Diagnostic Test ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Diagnostic Tests ◽  
Level Of Care ◽  
Advanced Level ◽  
Visual Deficits ◽  
The Past ◽  
Scientific Rationale

A range of visual deficits and related visual symptoms are common in those afflicted with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI/concussion). Several basic neuro-optometric, diagnostic test protocols have been proposed over the past decade. However, none have specifically addressed and focused upon an advanced level of care. Thus, a comprehensive set of advanced, diagnostic vision tests of a sensory and motor nature is proposed, with all having a clinical and scientific rationale. These tests have been used by the authors for many years, with good success and providing important clinical insights into this population.

The Speech-Language Pathologists' Role in Mild Traumatic Brain Injury for Middle and High School–Age Children: Viewpoints on Guidelines From the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 1363-1370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica Brown ◽  
Katy O'Brien ◽  
Kelly Knollman-Porter ◽  
Tracey Wallace
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Disease Control ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
School Age Children ◽  
School Age ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Control And Prevention ◽  
Centers For Disease Control

Purpose The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released guidelines for rehabilitation professionals regarding the care of children with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Given that mTBI impacts millions of children each year and can be particularly detrimental to children in middle and high school age groups, access to universal recommendations for management of postinjury symptoms is ideal. Method This viewpoint article examines the CDC guidelines and applies these recommendations directly to speech-language pathology practices. In particular, education, assessment, treatment, team management, and ongoing monitoring are discussed. In addition, suggested timelines regarding implementation of services by speech-language pathologists (SLPs) are provided. Specific focus is placed on adolescents (i.e., middle and high school–age children). Results SLPs are critical members of the rehabilitation team working with children with mTBI and should be involved in education, symptom monitoring, and assessment early in the recovery process. SLPs can also provide unique insight into the cognitive and linguistic challenges of these students and can serve to bridge the gap among rehabilitation and school-based professionals, the adolescent with brain injury, and their parents. Conclusion The guidelines provided by the CDC, along with evidence from the field of speech pathology, can guide SLPs to advocate for involvement in the care of adolescents with mTBI. More research is needed to enhance the evidence base for direct assessment and treatment with this population; however, SLPs can use their extensive knowledge and experience working with individuals with traumatic brain injury as a starting point for post-mTBI care.

Assessment of Cognitive-Communicative Disorders of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Sustained in Combat

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Parrish ◽  
Carole Roth ◽  
Brooke Roberts ◽  
Gail Davie
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Psychological Health ◽  
Communication Disorders ◽  
Service Members ◽  
Patient Questionnaire ◽  
Speech Language Pathologists ◽  
Test Protocol ◽  
Communication Deficits

Abstract Background: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is recognized as the signature injury of the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, yet there remains limited understanding of the persisting cognitive deficits of mTBI sustained in combat. Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) have traditionally been responsible for evaluating and treating the cognitive-communication disorders following severe brain injuries. The evaluation instruments historically used are insensitive to the subtle deficits found in individuals with mTBI. Objectives: Based on the limited literature and clinical evidence describing traditional and current tests for measuring cognitive-communication deficits (CCD) of TBI, the strengths and weaknesses of the instruments are discussed relative to their use with mTBI. It is necessary to understand the nature and severity of CCD associated with mTBI for treatment planning and goal setting. Yet, the complexity of mTBI sustained in combat, which often co-occurs with PTSD and other psychological health and physiological issues, creates a clinical challenge for speech-language pathologists worldwide. The purpose of the paper is to explore methods for substantiating the nature and severity of CCD described by service members returning from combat. Methods: To better understand the nature of the functional cognitive-communication deficits described by service members returning from combat, a patient questionnaire and a test protocol were designed and administered to over 200 patients. Preliminary impressions are described addressing the nature of the deficits and the challenges faced in differentiating the etiologies of the CCD. Conclusions: Speech-language pathologists are challenged with evaluating, diagnosing, and treating the cognitive-communication deficits of mTBI resulting from combat-related injuries. Assessments that are sensitive to the functional deficits of mTBI are recommended. An interdisciplinary rehabilitation model is essential for differentially diagnosing the consequences of mTBI, PTSD, and other psychological and physical health concerns.

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Exacerbates Emotional Complaints but not Cognitive Impairments in Individuals Suffering from Postconcussional Disorder after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 35-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara C. Schroeder ◽  
Ronald M. Ruff ◽  
Lutz Jäncke
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress ◽  
Mild Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Test Performance ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Neuropsychological Test ◽  
Composite Scale

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on (a) neuropsychological test performance and (b) self-reported emotional complaints within individuals suffering from postconcussional disorder (PCD) after a mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). A two-group comparative research design was employed. Two MTBI samples with and without PTSD were assessed with a neuropsychological test battery and the Ruff Neurobehavioral Inventory (RNBI). On the neurocognitive test performances no significant between group differences were found, but the MTBI group with PTSD endorsed a significantly greater number of emotional complaints, especially in the RNBI subscales of anxiety and depression. The patients with PTSD also endorsed a significantly greater number of premorbid sequelae in the RNBI emotional composite scale as well as the RNBI premorbid subscales of pain, anxiety and abuse. In sum, PTSD has a negative impact on emotional but not cognitive functioning within individuals suffering from PCD after a mild TBI.

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