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. 2022 Dec 13;22(1):317.
doi: 10.1186/s12874-022-01807-2.

Methodology of the INVestigating traIning assoCiated blasT pAthology (INVICTA) study

Michael J Roy  1 , David O Keyser  2 , Sheilah S Rowe  2   3 , Rene S Hernandez  2   3 , Marcia Dovel  2   3 , Holland Romero  2   3 , Diana Lee  2   3 , Matthew Menezes  2   3 , Elizabeth Magee  2   3 , Danielle J Brooks  2   3 , Chen Lai  2   3 , Jessica Gill  2   4 , Suthee Wiri  5 , Elizabeth Metzger  2   3 , J Kent Werner  2 , Douglas Brungart  6 , Devon M Kulinski  6 , Dominic Nathan  2   3 , Walter S Carr  7
Affiliations

Methodology of the INVestigating traIning assoCiated blasT pAthology (INVICTA) study

Michael J Roy et al. BMC Med Res Methodol. .

Abstract

Background: Subconcussive blast exposure during military training has been the subject of both anecdotal concerns and reports in the medical literature, but prior studies have often been small and have used inconsistent methods.

Methods: This paper presents the methodology employed in INVestigating traIning assoCiated blasT pAthology (INVICTA) to assess a wide range of aspects of brain function, including immediate and delayed recall, gait and balance, audiologic and oculomotor function, cerebral blood flow, brain electrical activity and neuroimaging and blood biomarkers.

Results: A number of the methods employed in INVICTA are relatively easy to reproducibly utilize, and can be completed efficiently, while other measures require greater technical expertise, take longer to complete, or may have logistical challenges.

Conclusions: This presentation of methods used to assess the impact of blast exposure on the brain is intended to facilitate greater uniformity of data collection in this setting, which would enable comparison between different types of blast exposure and environmental circumstances, as well as to facilitate meta-analyses and syntheses across studies.

Keywords: Traumatic brain injury; concussion; military blast exposure; subconcussive injury.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. Any opinions or assertions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily represent those of Uniformed Services University (USU), the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, Department of Defense (DoD), or the U.S. Government. The identification of specific products, scientific instrumentation, or organization is considered an integral part of the scientific endeavor and does not constitute endorsement or implied endorsement on the part of the author, USU, DoD, or any component agency.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
AccWalker Assessment. Legend: AccWalker assessment of balance and gait, conducted with a custom application incorporated in a cellular phone strapped to the right thigh of each study participant
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Eye Tracking Assessment. Legend: A portable head-mounted 3D display system with integrated eye tracking technology measures oculomotor and vestibular function, reaction time and cognitive performance
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Neurosensory Assessment. Legend: Changes in tactile neurosensory functioning are examined using the custom-built two-point vertical displacement stimulator device
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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