Recovery Process for Sports-Related Concussion Assessed with Precise Ocular Motility

Abstract

Ocular motility has been linked to Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 5 scores. However, the link between ocular motility changes and assessment result changes remains unclear. Hence, we investigated that potential link in patients with sports-related concussions. We retrospectively included participants aged≥18 years who were diagnosed with a sports-related concussion. They underwent smooth pursuit eye movement assessment for allocation to the good improvement (rate of fundamental frequency≥15%) or minor improvement (<15%) groups. Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 5 scores were determined at baseline and two weeks later, and score changes were compared between the groups. Thirteen men (mean±standard deviation age: 20.6±5.0 years) were included: eight (19.0±4.5 years) in the good improvement group and five (20.6±5.7 years) in the minor improvement group. Symptom number (median=2.0 vs. 0.0), symptom severity (median=22.0 vs. 3.0), single-leg stance (median=4.0 vs. 0.5), tandem stance (median=1.0 vs. 0.0), and total errors (median=5.0 vs. 0.5) were worse (all p<0.05) in the minor improvement group. Smooth pursuit eye movement improvements measured using eye-tracking technology was linked to symptom recovery in patients with sports-related concussions. Therefore, ocular motility may be an objective indicator of sports-related concussions. Future studies with more patients are needed to confirm these findings.

Keywords: eye tracking; ocular motility; return to play; sports concussion assessment tool; sports-related concussion.

Fig. 1

Flowchart of participant recruitment process and group allocation. SCAT5, Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 5; SRC, sports-related concussion.

Fig. 2

Ocular motility assessment setup. Patients wore infrared goggles and maintained a fixed head position, and their eye movements following the LED light source were measured. LED, light-emitting diode.

Fig. 3

Differences in SCAT5 score; a . Symptom number (Step 2); b . Symptom severity (Step 2;) and c . Total errors (Step 4) at the initial visit and two weeks later.