Do center of pressure measures derived from force platforms correlate to alpha % changes derived from EEG measures in athletes suffering from concussions?
Open Access
Author:
Kealey, Kimberly Ann
Area of Honors:
Kinesiology
Degree:
Bachelor of Science
Document Type:
Thesis
Thesis Supervisors:
Dr. Semyon Slobounov, Thesis Supervisor Steriani Elavsky, Thesis Honors Advisor
Keywords:
concussion testing force platforms and concussions EEG alpha % change and concussions
Abstract:
The medical field currently lacks a “gold standard” when it comes to sideline assessment tools capable of diagnosing concussions. In an effort to come closer to finding a definitive sideline assessment tool to diagnose concussion injuries, the use of a force platform was researched in comparison to EEG results. EEGs are currently used as an acceptable tool for diagnosing concussion injuries. Force platform center of pressure (COP) values, which are indicative of balance, were compared to EEG alpha % change values, which is an accepted indicators of brain function. Twenty-one concussed collegiate athletes were tested on measures of balance (COP) and EEG indicators of brain function. When comparing the force platform data at the subgroup level (COP EC and COP EO results) clear trends were present, however they were not statistically significant due to the small subject group. It can be seen that the alpha % change clearly decreased and the COP data clearly increased in both concussed subject groups when compared to the baseline subjects. This suggests that both the force platform and EEG measures are sensitive to the recovery of balance following a concussion injury in both the acute and chronic phase of recovery.
