Examining initial post-concussion dizziness and postural stability as predictors of time to symptom resolution

Abstract

ObjectivesTo examine the utility of a multimodal assessment battery of self-reported dizziness, clinician obtained postural stability, and symptom severity ratings within 14 days of concussion to predict symptom resolution time among children and adolescents. DesignProspective cohort. MethodsPatients ages 6–18 years completed evaluation ≤14 days post-concussion, including self-reported symptom severity using the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI) and postural stability assessments. We grouped patients as dizzy or not dizzy based on the difference in current and pre-injury PSCI dizziness ratings: difference between current and pre-injury dizziness ≥3 = dizzy; difference <3 = not dizzy. We evaluated postural stability using modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS) and tandem gait (TG). Our primary outcome was time from concussion to symptom resolution. Using a univariable Cox proportional hazard model, we examined the association between dizziness and symptom resolution time. We then used a multivariable Cox proportional hazard model to adjust for potential confounding variables. ResultsWe examined 89 patients and grouped each as dizzy (n = 34; age = 14.7 ± 2.7 years; 7.1 ± 3.4 days post-injury; symptom resolution time = 40.8 ± 5.7 days) or not dizzy (n = 55; age = 14.4 ± 2.3 years; 7.2 ± 3.1 days post-injury; symptom resolution time = 23.3 ± 3.2 days). Upon univariable examination, dizziness was independently associated with increased symptom resolution time (Hazard Ratio [HR] = 0.49; 95%CI: 0.28, 0.83; p = 0.009). After adjusting for potential confounders (total symptom severity, mBESS tandem stance errors, TG time, loss of consciousness), only symptom severity change was associated with symptom resolution time (HR = 0.98; 95%CI: 0.96, 0.997; p = 0.025). ConclusionsTotal symptom severity assessed within 14 days of concussion, but not dizziness or postural stability, was significantly associated with symptom resolution time among children and adolescents following concussion.