Gait Testing Can Predict Future Post Concussion Syndrome
A recent study in the journal Gait and Posture looked at various biomarkers in posture and walking in athletes who suffered a #concussion.
They wanted to see if any specific findings on balance or gait testing could predict which patients would have a worse recovery.
The study found that out of all of the balance and walking parameters, 2 metrics were associated with the development of persistent symptoms or #postconcussionsyndrome
𝗗𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗮𝘀𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗚𝗮𝗶𝘁
The study found that when concussion patients had to perform a cognitive task while walking, there were changes in their walk that predicted future symptoms.
Patients that were more likely to have future symptoms showed 𝙞𝙣𝙘𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙨𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙞𝙧 𝙡𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙖𝙘𝙠 when walking, and also 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗼𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝘁 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 when landing when they were engaged in a cognitive task.
This might not seem like a big deal, but this may be a subtle sign that the brain is struggling to compartmentalize basic movement patterns, so it is using important resources from the frontal lobe to do something as simple as walking straight.
This is why we have all of our patients perform a walking test with and without a cognitive challenge.
The dual task paradigm gives us insight into brain function, and it also lets us know if we can use dual task exercises like the Fitlight to enhance our rehab.
#neuroscience#neuroplasticity#tbi
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