Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Using Statistics, Computational Modelling And Artificial Intelligence Methods To Study And Strengthen The Link Between Kinematic Impacts And Mtbis, Andrew Luke Mcconnell Patterson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBIs) are frequently occurring, yet poorly understood, injuries in sports (e.g., ice hockey) and other physical recreation activities where head impacts occur. Helmets are essential pieces of equipment used to protect participants’ heads from mTBIs. Evaluating the performance of helmets to prevent mTBIs using simulations on anatomically accurate computational head finite element models is critically important for advancing the development of safer helmets. Advancing the level of detail in, and access to, such models, and their continued validation through state-of-the-art brain imaging methods and traditional head injury assessment procedures, is also essential to improve safety. The …

The Clinical Value Of Oculomotor Assessments Across The Continuum Of Concussion, Dillon Richards

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Concussions are complex conditions that are difficult to manage medically. Variations in symptom presentation, intricate neurophysiological processes, and the availability of a variety of possible assessment tools may contribute to this complexity. Clinicians must use a broad approach, employing both subjective symptom assessment and objective assessments to confirm a diagnosis and/or monitor progression and recovery. Oculomotor function after concussion may be an important indicator of injury, given the interconnectedness of oculomotor function, vestibulo-ocular and visual systems, and even cognition. Oculomotor function may be assessed objectively or indirectly using patient-reported symptom checklists as part of subjective assessments. One way of objectively …

Implications Of Race On Post-Concussion Neurocognitive Performance And Symptom Presentation, Taia B.B. Maceachern

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The objective of this thesis was to examine the impact of race on post-concussion symptoms and neurocognitive performance. This was achieved through a systematic review and meta-analysis (Chapter 2), and a retrospective study (Chapter 3). From 15 published studies, it was found that Whites (70.11%) reported a higher prevalence of concussion then Black/African American (13.65%). A small effect (g = 0.3) of race was found on neurocognitive measures, indicating that Whites performed better. Using a database of concussion outcomes, it was found that Black/African American reported significantly higher symptom severities (p <0.05), but this was dependent on the …

The Experiences Of Female Adolescents Who Have Sustained A Concussion Through Sport Participation: A Consideration Of An Occupational Perspective During Recovery, Annalise Michelle Tichenoff

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Adolescence is a time of rapid and tumultuous development in the physical, cognitive and psychosocial domains. Sustaining a concussion during this time period may complicate this development, particularly when symptoms are prolonged. Of particular importance is the study of adolescent females, as this population has been under-evaluated within the literature. This is especially troubling due to the number of concussions that occur among adolescent females, as concussions within this population reportedly occur at twice the frequency of adolescent males. This dissertation presents a qualitative case study investigation that explores the recovery experiences of adolescent female athletes who have sustained a …

Cumulative Purposeful Soccer Heading Can Lead To Compensatory Changes In Brain Activity During Combined Moderate Exercise And Cognitive Load In Female Youth Soccer Players, Alexandra Harriss

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Head trauma that occurs during sporting events is responsible for an increasing number of emergency department visits in Canada and is associated with an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases.While head injury in American football has been extensively studied, it cannot be extrapolated to non-helmeted sports. Approximately 265 million people are actively participating in soccer and many are 18 years of age and younger. Soccer is unique in that players use their head to redirect the ball; however, the effects of cumulative purposeful soccer heading on brain health are unknown. Accordingly, the objective of this thesis was to quantify head …

Evaluation Of The Psychometric And Measurement Properties Of The Scat5 And Child Scat5, Michael Robinson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Concussions are one of the most complex conditions to manage in sport medicine due to the individualized clinical presentation caused by the complex neurometabolic cascade that occurs. The identification, assessment and management of concussion requires clinicians to employ a multifaceted approach including the subjective disclosure of symptoms by patents. In order to aid in this, symptom checklists are commonly used as they provide a standardized method for collecting the severity of concussion symptoms. One of the most common symptom checklists is the 5^th Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT5) symptom evaluation which is available in an adult and pediatric version. …

Impact Of Diagnostic Terminology On Parental Attitudes Toward Concussion And Brain Injury, Naomi Sanderson

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Although some have argued that the terms concussion and mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) should not be used interchangeably, any differences between the diagnoses are subtle. In this study, we recruited 98 individuals through Amazon Mechanical Turk who self-identified as having children between the ages of 13 and 18 (inclusive). Participants were asked questions about a hypothetical injury to their child, related to symptoms, participation in school and physical activity, and recovery prognosis. Roughly half (n = 51) were asked these questions in reference to a “concussion”, and the remainder (n = 47) were asked questions in reference to an …

Investigating In Vivo Brain Metabolite Levels In Concussed Female Athletes And A Murine Model Of Repetitive Closed Head Injury, Amy L. Schranz

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

After a concussion there is a complex cascade of events, termed the neurometabolic cascade, that includes changes in ion flux, neurotransmission, and cellular energetics. How this pathophysiological process translates into cognitive deficits remains poorly understood. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) provides a non-invasive technique that allows for the quantification of brain metabolites that are involved in these processes, including glutamate and glutamine, which are involved in neurotransmission. Moreover, female athletes are underrepresented in studies on concussion, limiting our knowledge and understanding of sex differences. The overall goal of this thesis was to examine metabolite changes using MRS in female athletes before …

Diffusion And Functional Mri Of The Brain Following Sports-Related Impacts And Concussion, Kathryn Y. Manning

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Concussion is a prevalent injury associated with contact sports, however the underlying brain changes associated with concussion remain poorly understood. Therefore it is critical to (a) understand the complex sequelae that underlie concussion, (b) when or if the brain recovers, and (c) if there are brain changes associated with contact sports in general. Advanced imaging techniques may be sensitive to changes that persist beyond relatively prompt symptom recovery and clearance to return to play.

Resting state functional MRI (RS-fMRI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) data was acquired on the 3T at Robarts Research Institute from healthy and concussed athletes from …

The Effectiveness Of Neurofeedback And Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback For Individuals With Long-Term Post-Concussive Symptoms, Marquise Bonn

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Case studies have shown that low resolution electromagnetic tomography (LoRETA) neurofeedback is effective for many psychological disorders, but it’s effectiveness for individuals experiencing persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) is uncertain. Individuals with PPCS (n = 7) received an eight-week LoRETA neurofeedback and heart rate variability biofeedback intervention. Change in symptoms, driving simulation performance, electroencephalographic z-score deviations, and heart rate variability were compared to PPCS (n = 9) and healthy (n = 8) control groups. Statistical analyses revealed that the intervention significantly reduced electroencephalographic z-score deviations (p < 0.005) compared to PPCS controls. Additionally, headache, nausea, and dizziness symptoms were reduced in the intervention group (p = 0.003) and the PPCS controls (p = 0.001) compared to healthy …

Evaluating Evolving Leukocyte Populations In Peripheral Blood Circulation Post-Concussion In A Human Longitudinal Analysis Of Female Athletes, Kevin A. Blackney

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Concussions are generating increasing concern due to potential long-term neurological consequences. Currently there is no universally recognized diagnostic approach for concussion. I hypothesize that a signature temporal response of biomarkers of inflammation in systemic circulation will provide an objective diagnosis of concussion and could also be used to track patient recovery. The Western University women’s rugby team underwent blood draws at pre-season and post-season as a baseline evaluation, and players determined to have sustained a concussion underwent repeat blood analysis post-concussion. Blood samples were analyzed by flow cytometry to profile immune cell populations alongside accepted concussion assessments, and complete blood …

An Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of A Simulated Classroom-Based Intervention On Concussion Rehabilitation Among Individuals With Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms, Bedoor Alqenai

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Although recent clinical and scientific effort has focused on the development of guidelines for post-concussion return to play/work/learn, there is still relatively little literature that addresses specific treatment methods by which this can be accomplished. Accordingly, this study investigated the effect of a 7-week simulated classroom-based intervention on the self-reporting of symptom scores among 71 individuals with persistent concussion symptoms (26 men and 45 women). All participants were provided with novel strategies for reading, writing, study skills, social communication and technology use. Self-assessment of symptoms were obtained weekly, both before and after each session of the treatment program, in an …

Development And Initial Validation Of Novel Multi-Planar Neck Strength Assessment And Neuromuscular Training Protocols, Theo H. Versteegh

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Concussions are a serious health concern in today’s active society. There are many contributing factors to concussions but one that is starting to draw significant attention is the potential role the neck muscles play in mitigating concussive forces. There is evidence that stronger neck muscles may decrease an individual’s concussion risk. In order to fully define this role, an appropriate outcome measure for assessing neck strength is required. Once this is established, methods of training to improve neck strength can be evaluated for their effect on neck strength and subsequently effect on concussion risk. This thesis included three studies. Chapter …

Quantifying And Comparing The Head Impact Biomechanics Of Different Player Positions For Canadian University Football, Kody Campbell

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Differences between Canadian and American football could affect the magnitudes of head impacts and risk of concussion to Canadian players. This study sought to quantify and compare the number, magnitude, and location of impacts that Canadian University football players of different positions experienced during games and practice in a season. A kinematic measuring device collected the linear accelerations and rotational velocities of the head from impacts experienced by players competing in practices and games. The impact magnitudes that were experienced in games were significantly larger than in practice. The offensive back position and wide receiver position had significantly larger peak …

Fluid Percussion Injury In The Rat As An Animal Model Of Concussion: Cumulative Effects Of Repeated Concussion And Its Treatment By Anti-Cd11d Antibody, Sandy Rc Shultz

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

Traumatic brain injury is a global health concern with limited treatment options currently available. Concussion is the most common form of traumatic brain injury, and although a single concussion rarely results in long-term neurological dysfunction, repeated concussion can result in cumulative damage and chronic neurodegenerative disease. However, little is known about the factors and mechanisms of concussion involved in these detrimental effects. Animal models provide a means to examine the factors and mechanisms involved in traumatic brain injury, as well as potential treatments, in experiments that cannot be conducted using human participants. In the present thesis a fluid percussion model …