Versional eye tracking in mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI): effects of oculomotor training (OMT).
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate a range of objective measures of versional eye movements before and after oculomotor training (OMT) in individuals with mTBI. The results were compared with placebo (P) training.


METHODS
Twelve individuals with mTBI (mean age = 29 ± 3 years) having oculomotor-based near-vision symptoms participated in the study. Versional eye movements were recorded objectively before and after OMT (fixation, predictable saccades, simulated reading) and P training (6 weeks each, two sessions/week, 45 minutes/session).


RESULTS
Following OMT, there was a significant (p < 0.05) reduction in the horizontal fixational error. Saccadic gain increased both horizontally and vertically (p < 0.05). The saccade ratio for the simulated reading, multiple-line paradigm reduced significantly (p < 0.05). None of the measures changed significantly following the P training.


CONCLUSIONS
The versional-based OMT had a significant, positive effect on most aspects of versional tracking. These findings are suggestive of improved rhythmicity, accuracy and sequencing of saccades following OMT in mTBI as a result of oculomotor learning.
SUNY State College of Optometry, Department of Biological and Vision Sciences , New York, NY , USA.
Preethi
P
Thiagarajan
Kenneth J
KJ
Ciuffreda
D000328:Adult; D000344:Afferent Pathways; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D005133:Eye Movements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D015835:Ocular Motility Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D009801:Oculomotor Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011930:Reaction Time; D012438:Saccades; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Neuroplasticity; oculomotor coordination; oculomotor training; traumatic brain injury; versional eye movement disorders; vision therapy