Abstract 16684: Cardiovascular Responses of Persons With ABI to Computerized Motor-Cognitive Assessments

Abstract

Introduction: Recent evidence suggests that a traumatic brain injury is associated with a higher risk for cardiovascular pathology and impaired responses to activities of daily living. However, limited standardized testing is available to document cardiovascular responses during motor-cognitive function after acquired brain injury (ABI). Our study aimed to compare cardiovascular responses in persons with and without ABI during motor-cognitive assessments in virtual-reality gaming environments. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that there would be a significant difference in participant effort as defined by cardiovascular response specific to each activity. Methods: 50 participants (M/F = 16/34) age 29.31 (+/-11.667) years with and without ABI (9/41) performed a timed, 4-square stepping task to test dynamic balance (4SST) and the standardized Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).Testing included polar heart monitoring of participant effort via heart rate (HR) while performing five standardized, virtual-reality games to test motor-cognitive skills. Variables included HR, 4SST time, MoCA score, and computerized Cognitive Scores (ICOG). Descriptive statistics explored group performance using SPSS 24.0 (IBM) and an alpha level of 0.05. Results: results Indicated similar performance in MoCA and ICOG scores (26.78 +/- 2.188, 28.043 +/- 2.230 respectively) but ICOG effort ratings were significantly higher in the ABI group compared to without ABI (2.60 +/- 1.140 vs. 1.60 +/- 1.095 respectively). Also, the ABI group took significantly longer to complete each ICOG activity (34.056 +/- 24.461 vs. 29.964 +/- 25.727 respectively) with significantly delayed reaction times (3.598+/- 1.542 vs. 2.825 +/- 1.630 respectively). Significant relationships occurred between the ICOG activity score and the associated HR (r = - 0.512, p = 0.030) and 4SST and AGE (r = 0.526, p = 0.025). Multiple regression analysis indicated history of concussion, previous night hours of sleep, MoCA scores, gender, and HR significantly explained 61.2% of the ICOG variance (p = 0. 005). Discussion: Results indicate significant differences in cardiovascular responses to motor-cognitive activities however similar performance in MoCA and ICOG scores. There was also a significant difference in effort and reaction time scores. This trend appeared to explain overall ICOG performance as presented by the regression analysis. Conclusions: Preliminary findings warrant further research of cardiovascular responses during specific motor-cognitive tasks common to ADL’s.