Association of acute vestibular/ocular motor screening scores to prolonged recovery in collegiate athletes following sport-related concussion

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Researchers have yet to explore the association of acute (i.e., within 3 days) post-injury VOMS scores and length of time until clearance to return to play in collegiate athletes.

Objective

The purpose was to determine if individual Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) component symptom scores (e.g., smooth pursuits, convergence, vestibular-ocular reflex) can predict clearance to return to activity from a sport-related concussion.

Methods

Pre-season demographic and medical history and post-injury VOMS testing were collected (n = 79) on collegiate student-athletes following concussion. Impaired vestibulo-ocular function post-injury scores (≥2) were compared to normal scores using survival analysis, with days to clearance to return to sport as the outcome.

Results

Abnormal scores on smooth pursuits (p =.026), horizontal saccades (p =.025), vertical saccades (p =.028), and convergence (p =.031) were associated with lower probability of clearance in comparison with normal scores. Any score ≥2 predicted significantly greater days to clearance for return to play (13.1 days; 95% CI: 11.9–14.3; p = .025) compared with athletes with no abnormal test scores (9.6 days; 95% CI: 7.2–12.1, P =.014).

Discussion

Post-injury symptoms with VOMS smooth pursuit, saccades, and convergence is associated with increased time-to-clearance for return to sport in collegiate athletes.

KEYWORDS:

• Concussion
• athlete
• ocular
• recovery
• vestibular
• VOMS

Declaration of Interest

Michael W. Collins is co-founder of ImPACT Applications, Inc. The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose related to this work.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Collegiate Athletic Association [CARE Consortium]; U.S. Department of Defense [CARE Consortium].