A - 27 The Clinical Utilization of SWAY and mBESS for Post-Trauma and Follow-up Concussion Evaluations

Abstract

Abstract Objective SWAY is a mobile software system using an accelerometer designed to measure postural sway and reaction time in the context of concussion. This study examined the efficacy of SWAY in detecting changes in balance and reaction time before and after concussion. Methods College athletes (N = 30, 10 females) underwent baseline, post-trauma, and follow-up evaluations following a concussion including SWAY, mBESS, Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition (SCAT-5), and Immediate Post Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT). Results Paired-samples t-tests revealed a decline in SWAY balance from baseline (M = 82.65, SD = 14.48) to post-trauma (M = 74.61, SD = 17.41), t(29) = 2.99, p = 0.006, but no significant difference was observed in reaction time (M = 5.07, SD = 13.61), t(29) = 2.04, p = 0.050. Meanwhile, balance improved at follow-up (M = 78.93, SD = 15.32), and was no longer discrepant from baseline (M = 81.97, SD = 14.51), t(21) = 1.03, p = 0.316. Similarly, there was a significant decline in mBESS scores from baseline (M = 2.88, SD = 3.62) to post-trauma (M = 5.68, SD = 5.32), t(24) = −3.51, p = 0.002, followed by a return to baseline at follow up (M = 4.22, SD = 4.95), t(22) = −1.60, p = 0.124. Conclusions Although challenges were apparent in obtaining an optimal baseline, current results appear to support the clinical utility of SWAY for assessing balance in the context of concussion evaluations. Further research appears warranted to support SWAY as a method of diagnosing concussion and monitoring return to baseline.