Examining postconcussion symptoms of dizziness and imbalance on neurocognitive performance in collegiate football players.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the effects of symptom reports of dizziness and imbalance on cognitive function in concussed collegiate football players.


METHODS
Retrospective, descriptive.


METHODS
University athletic medicine facility.


METHODS
Twenty-seven collegiate football players were included in the final analysis: 16 with symptoms of dizziness/imbalance resulting from concussion and 11 without dizziness/imbalance resulting from concussion.


METHODS
Participants completed the Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT) at baseline, at 1 to 2 days postconcussion and 5 to 7 days postconcussion. The ImPACT neurocognitive assessment consists of 6 modules, yielding 4 composite scores: verbal memory, visual memory, visual-motor processing speed, and reaction time. In addition, it includes a postconcussion symptom scale total score.


RESULTS
Results revealed that participants with reports of dizziness and imbalance had significantly lower scores on the ImPACT composite scores; however, these individuals also had an overall higher symptom inventory. When accounting for the additional postconcussion symptoms, time was the only significant effect.


CONCLUSIONS
Dizziness and imbalance are common symptoms postconcussion; however, these symptoms did not predict performance on acute ImPACT scores. Further research is needed to understand the mechanisms causing postconcussion symptoms, including symptoms of dizziness and imbalance, and influence on outcomes postconcussion.
*Department of Special Education and Communication Disorders and †Department of Educational Psychology, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.A.
Julie A
JA
Honaker
Houston F
HF
Lester
Jessie N
JN
Patterson
Sherri M
SM
Jones
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005538:Football / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D004856:Postural Balance; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D011681:Pupil Disorders; D014706:Verbal Learning; D055815:Young Adult