ABSTRACT
Objectives: Long-term monitoring of concussion recovery requires time- and cost-effective methods. Physiologic complexity may be useful in evaluating visual-motor integration following concussion. The purpose of this study was to quantify the extent to which prior number of concussions influenced visual-motor tracking force complexity.
Methods: Thirty-five individuals with a self-reported concussion history (age: 20.92 ± 1.98) and 15 without (age: 20.92 ± 2.21) performed an isometric visual-motor tracking task, using index finger force to trace a straight line across a computer screen. Finger force root mean square error (RMSE), multi-scale complexity, and average power from 0 to 12 Hertz (Hz) were calculated. Individual multiple regressions were fit to these outcomes.
Results: Force complexity decreased linearly with an increasing number of concussions (R2 = 0.101). Males had more complex force overall (R2 = 0.219) and greater 4–8 Hz average power (R2 = 0.193). The 8–12 Hz average power decreased significantly for individuals with prior loss of consciousness (LOC) and increasing numbers of concussions (R2 = 0.143).
Conclusion: Individuals exhibited linear decreases in visual-motor tracking force complexity with increasing numbers of concussions, influenced by both gender and a history of LOC. These findings indicate cumulative changes in the ways in which previously concussed individuals process and integrate visual information to guide behaviour.
Supplementary data
Supplemental data for this article can be accessed on the publisher’s website.
Acknowledgments
The authors would like to acknowledge the input on the project and manuscript by Dr Eadric Bressel, Dr Tom Higbee, and Dr Idalis Villanueva at Utah State University.
Declaration of interest
The authors report no declarations of interest.