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The Clinical Value Of Oculomotor Assessments Across The Continuum Of Concussion, Dillon Richards Nov 2022

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 Jun 2022

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 …


A Novel Approach Toward Concussion Testing, Jorge K. Mercado, Ari Schacter, Danielle Euzent May 2022

A Novel Approach Toward Concussion Testing, Jorge K. Mercado, Ari Schacter, Danielle Euzent

Student Theses

A concussion is a violent jarring or shaking of the head caused by whiplash or direct impact that results in a disturbance of brain function. Concussions can be mild and brief, as a person may be dazed momentarily or can be more serious, resulting in a loss of consciousness. Underreporting of concussions is prevalent because they are a symptom-based diagnosis, lacking a clinical test. In this study, we investigated the use of VNG testing as a clinical diagnosis of concussions. Looking at the VNG test battery, the previous research cohort found that saccades, gaze, and positional testing are the most …


Impacts Of Methods And Pose On Performance Of Two Modern American Football Helmets, Ta’Quoris Newsome May 2022

Impacts Of Methods And Pose On Performance Of Two Modern American Football Helmets, Ta’Quoris Newsome

Honors Theses

The standardization of American football helmets began with the development of the National Operating Committee for Safety in Athletic Equipment (NOCSAE). The organization successfully developed a certification that quantifies a helmet’s ability to mitigate blunt force to prevent skull fractures; however, the ability to assure the same level of protection against concussion has been elusive. Regardless, The National Football League (NFL) and Virginia Tech University (VT) have developed blunt and rotational impact testing methodologies that aim to provide consumers with the effectiveness and safety of American football helmets through their respective ranking system. These ranking systems are intended to aid …


A Cognitive Protocol For Individuals With Concussion, Faith M. Urbanik Jan 2022

A Cognitive Protocol For Individuals With Concussion, Faith M. Urbanik

OT Student Capstones

Background: Concussions have been identified in the literature to cause impairments in several cognitive domains. Limited research exists for cognitive interventions for occupational therapists (OTs) working with concussions and post-concussion syndrome (PCS) using a bottom-up approach that targets domains of cognition. This pilot study responds to these shortcomings by identifying and implementing evidence-based treatment options for OTs working with individuals with concussion and PCS to mitigate associated cognitive deficits. Method: The researcher included participants, ages 18 years or older, who are three days’ to six months’ post-concussion with concussions or PCS in this study. The researcher administered a cognitive protocol …