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S. Vuu1, C. Barr1, M. Killington1, J. Howie2, S. Hill2, M. van den Berg1
1Flinders University, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Adelaide, Australia, 2SA Health, Early Management of Mild Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service, Adelaide, Australia
Background: The Buffalo Concussion Test (BCT) typically has been conducted for return-to-sport purposes in young, athletes with acute traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, study data from this population cannot be generalised to the wider population, including non-athletes and those with a chronic TBI.
Purpose: To explore test performance on the BCT in a non-athletic mild-to-moderate TBI population.
Methods: In this study, we conducted a retrospective clinical evaluation of 49 patients with mild-to-moderate TBI, who conducted the BCT as part of usual clinical care at an Early Management of Mild Brain Injury Rehabilitation Service between 2018 to 2020. Data collected included demographics, test performance, and change in reported symptoms during the test.
Results: A total of 49 patients with mild-to-moderate TBI (33.7 (13.0) years old, 29 males), completed the BCT 56.2 (36.4) days post injury. Of these, 42 (86%) were conducted on a treadmill. Mean test duration was 11.9 (5.3) minutes. For 14 participants, testing was ceased due to an increase in symptoms, and for another 14 participants, testing was terminated when they reached ≥19/20 on the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion. The primary reason for symptomatic cessation of exercise was the development of feelings of haziness/fogginess (n=29). Exploratory analysis revealed that those with a history of mental health conditions reported 1.10 (95% CI: 0.12 to 2.07) points higher for symptoms on the Visual Analogue Scale than those without a history of mental health conditions.
Conclusion(s): Data was evaluated on clinical notes, and no strict protocol was followed. Despite this, the results suggest that the BCT can be used in the non-athletic mild-to-moderate TBI population to assess for symptomatic onset during exercise. It is not yet clear what impact pre-existing psychological problems has on test performance. Further research is required to determine the optimal protocol for clinical implementation of the test.
Implications: In patients who have persistent symptoms following a TBI, the BCT may be used to assess the level to which exercise can be conducted before developing an increase in symptoms. This information can then inform exercise interventions at a sub-symptomatic level. A standardised test protocol specific to this population requires development and assessment.
Funding, acknowledgements: This study was funded by the Early Management of Mild Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services.
Keywords: Brain Injuries, Traumatic, Exercise Test
Topic: Neurology
Did this work require ethics approval? No
Institution: Flinders University
Committee: Early Management of Mild Brain Injury Rehabilitation Services
Reason: Retrospective review of clinical data
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
