Objective functional assessment after a head injury using movement and activity in physical space scores: a case report.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the potential benefit of using a global positioning system (GPS) and accelerometry as an objective functional-activity measure after concussion by creating Movement and Activity in Physical Space (MAPS) scores.


BACKGROUND
A 21-year-old female soccer player suffered a blow to the back of the head from an opponent's shoulder during an away match. No athletic trainer was present. She played the remainder of the match and reported to the athletic training facility the next day for evaluation.


METHODS
Concussion.


METHODS
The athlete was removed from all athletic activities. Her symptoms were monitored based on the Zurich guidelines. She was also instructed to wear an accelerometer on her hip and to carry an on-person GPS receiver at all times for 10 days. Her total symptom scores for the 4 symptomatic days were 82, 39, 49, and 36. Her mean MAPS functional score for symptomatic days 3 through 5 was 900.9 and for asymptomatic days 6 through 11 was 2734.9.


RESULTS
We monitored the patient's function during the concussion-recovery process using an on-person GPS receiver and accelerometer to calculate personalized MAPS scores. This novel approach to measuring function after injury may provide a useful complementary tool to help with return-to-play decisions.


CONCLUSIONS
An on-person GPS receiver and accelerometer were used to observe the patient's physical activity in a free-living environment, allowing for an objective measure of function during recovery. Her MAPS scores were low while she was symptomatic and increased as she became asymptomatic. We saw the expected inverse relationship between symptoms and function. In situations where accuracy of reported symptoms may be a concern, this measure may provide a way to verify the validity of, or raise doubts about, self-reported symptoms.
Division of Athletic Training, School of Applied Health Science and Wellness, Ohio University, Athens.
James L
JL
Farnsworth
Danielle
D
McElhiney
Shannon
S
David
Gaurav
G
Sinha
Brian G
BG
Ragan
D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001924:Brain Concussion / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries*; D055815:Young Adult
accelerometer; concussions; functional outcome measures; geographic information systems; global positioning system