Assessment of oculomotor control and balance post-concussion: a preliminary study for a novel approach to concussion management.

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE Balance disturbances occur in ∼30% of concussion injuries, with vestibular dysfunction reported as the main contributor. However, few have studied oculomotor control post-concussion to assess vestibular dysfunction. RESEARCH DESIGN The current research measured the differences in oculomotor control between athletes post-concussion (PC) and athletes without concussion (NC) during an active balance control task. METHODS Nine PC and nine NC athletes wore a monocular eye tracking device, while balance tests were performed using the Nintendo WiiFit® soccer heading game. Average game scores, eye deviations from centre (Gaze Deviations) and gaze fixation (Percentage Time on Centre) were measured. RESULTS PC made significantly greater Gaze Deviations from centre compared to NC (p < 0.001), however Percentage Time on Centre and game scores were not significantly different between groups. Correlations between gaze and balance within groups revealed a significant positive correlation in NC, while a significant negative correlation in PC. CONCLUSIONS Results from this exploratory examination of oculomotor behaviour post-concussion revealed significant differences in gaze stability between athletes with a concussion and those without, suggesting vestibular involvement post-concussion. Assessment of oculomotor control during balance activities may provide further insight into dysfunction of the vestibular system following a concussion injury.