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. 2024 Nov 2;24(21):7064.
doi: 10.3390/s24217064.

An Objective Assessment of Neuromotor Control Using a Smartphone App After Repeated Subconcussive Blast Exposure

Charlend K Howard  1 , Masahiro Yamada  2 , Marcia Dovel  3   4 , Rie Leverett  3   4 , Alexander Hill  3   4 , Kenneth A Manlapaz  3   4 , David O Keyser  3   5 , Rene S Hernandez  3   4 , Sheilah S Rowe  3   4 , Walter S Carr  6 , Michael J Roy  3   7 , Christopher K Rhea  1
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An Objective Assessment of Neuromotor Control Using a Smartphone App After Repeated Subconcussive Blast Exposure

Charlend K Howard et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

Subconcussive blast exposure has been shown to alter neurological functioning. However, the extent to which neurological dysfunction persists after blast exposure is unknown. This longitudinal study examined the potential short- and long-term effects of repeated subconcussive blast exposure on neuromotor performance from heavy weapons training in military personnel. A total of 214 participants were assessed; 137 were exposed to repeated subconcussive blasts and 77 were not exposed to blasts (controls). Participants completed a short stepping-in-place task while an Android smartphone app placed on their thigh recorded movement kinematics. We showed acute suppression of neuromotor variability 6 h after subconcussive blast exposure, followed by a rebound to levels not different from baseline at the 72 h, 2-week, and 3-month post-tests. It is postulated that this suppression of neuromotor variability results from a reduction in the functional degrees of freedom from the subconcussive neurological insult. It is important to note that this change in behavior is short-lived, with a return to pre-blast exposure movement kinematics within 72 h.

Keywords: balance; blast exposure; military; neuromotor; smartphone app; subconcussive.

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Conflict of interest statement

This study is funded by the Defense Health Agency, with support for the conduct of the research from the Military Traumatic Brain Injury Initiative at Uniformed Services University. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose. The views expressed in this presentation are solely those of the presenters and do not necessarily represent those of the Old Dominion University, Uniformed Services University, Department of Defense, or the U.S. government and should not be construed as such. The investigators have adhered to the policies for the protection of human subjects as prescribed in AR 70–25.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Example time series of thigh-angle data collected from one participant with the AccWalker app.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Histogram of the number of participants who completed assessments at 2, 3, 4, or 5 time points.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Estimated marginal mean and standard error (SE) bars of CV (%) of peak thigh flexion across time for the exposed and control groups. Asterisks indicate a value different from baseline (base).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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