Baseline King–Devick scores for adults are not generalizable; however, age and education influence scores

ABSTRACT

Objective: To establish normative values for the King–Devick (K–D) test to be used as a reference for determining impairment related to concussion when individual baseline scores are lacking. Method: Baseline K–D scores were collected for 243 participants aged 18–86.

Results: The mean age of subjects was 40.46; range 18–86 years. The mean time was 42.2 seconds; 26.19–75.96 seconds. There was a relationship (r = 0.376) between K–D score and age; scores increased (worsened) with age. There was also a relationship between score and education with scores decreasing as education increased (r = −0.194; p = 0.002). The K–D score was not influenced by sex or concussion history. A regression equation using education and age to predict K–D time explained 0.418 of the variance in K–D test time.

Conclusion: Although this research established a relationship between K–D score and age and education, the range in scores was too broad to establish normative values. In the absence of a baseline score, the use of a regression equation considering age and education level may provide some indication of expected score. However, the most reliable use of the test as a screen for impairment following concussion involves the use of a baseline test.

KEYWORDS:

• Concussion
• King-Devick test
• normative values

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge and thank two separate groups of Neumann Doctorate of Physical Therapy students for their essential contributions to this research study in data collection: Katie Angelucci, Jessica Lentz, Gregory Carroll, Patricia Byrne, Courtney Bush, Shannon Morris, Bryan Miller, Alison Spiler and Christine McHale.

Financial disclosure

This study did not receive any financial support from entities outside of Neumann University.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no declarations of interest. The authors neither have any conflicts of interests nor any disclosures to report.

Clinical Trial Registration Number

Not applicable.