Changes in Center of Pressure, Alpha Depression, and Traumatic Brain Injury Discriminan Scores Before and After a Sports-related Concussion
Open Access
Author:
Johnson, Molly Lee
Area of Honors:
Kinesiology
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Dr. Semyon Slobounov, Thesis Supervisor Stephen Jacob Piazza, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
Sports-Related Concussion Traumatic Brain Injury Alpha Depression EEG Center of Pressure Concussion
Abstract:
Determining when an athlete is safe to return to play after a sports-related concussion is one of the most controversial yet important sports medicine topics being researched. Recently, neuropsychological testing has been named as one of the best ways to track the brain’s healing process post-concussion, and determine when the athlete is safe to return to play. This study measured percent changes between center of pressure (COP) standing eyes closed and standing eyes open, percent changes between alpha power electroencephalography (EEG) values from sitting eyes closed to standing eyes closed (alpha depression), and the changes in Traumatic Brain Injury discriminant scores pre and post-concussion. All subjects were student-athletes at The Pennsylvania State University, and participated in one baseline test pre concussion and three follow-up tests post concussion. It was found that within the first 20 days post-concussion; the percent difference in center of pressure (COP) from standing eyes closed to standing eyes open decreased from baseline value in 71% (5/7) of the subjects, alpha depression from sitting eyes closed to standing eyes closed decreased from baseline value in 71% (5/7) of the subjects, and TBI discriminant scores decreased from baseline value in 57% (4/7) of the subjects. After 30 days post-concussion, alpha depression was decreased from baseline in 71% (5/7) of the subjects, COP percent difference was increased from baseline in 57 (4/7) of the subjects and 57% (4/7) of the subjects had a decrease in their TBI discriminant score from baseline value.
