In situ use of the King-Devick eye tracking test and changes seen with sport-related concussion: saccadic and blinks counts. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hecimovich, Mark; King, Doug; Dempsey, Alasdair; Gittins, Mason; Murphy, Myles
• Is Part Of: Physician and sportsmedicine. Volume 47:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 78
• Page End: 84
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Concussion -- head impact -- oculomotor -- saccades -- eye movements -- Australian football -- children -- youth; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Sports Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine du sport -- Périodiques; Sports medicine; Sportgeneeskunde; Periodicals; 617.1027
• DOI: 10.1080/00913847.2018.1525261
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0091-3847

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objectives : Sport-related concussion (SRC) can result in impaired oculomotor function. Oculomotor performance, measured utilizing the King-Devick/Eye Tracking test (K-D/ET), is reported to be able to identify sub-optimal brain function. The objectives of the study were to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the K-D/ET in identifying SRC occurring from game participation and to perform a comparative analysis on saccade and blink counts for each K-D card individually and total counts between baseline and post-concussion. Methods : Nineteen male Australian Football players were assessed on the K-D/ET test. Those suspected of having SRC secondary to a head impact were also tested. Results : Participants recorded a slower time on the third (20.2 ± 4.6 s) screen when compared with the first ( p = 0.0424) and second ( p = 0.0150) screens. The number of blinks was higher on the third (2.9 ± 2.9) when compared with the second ( p = 0.0057) screen. There was decrease of the K-D/ET total times between pre- and post-game ( p = 0.1769). Participants who sustained a head impact recorded slower mean total K-D time ( p = 0.7322), fewer mean total saccades ( p = 0.0112), and more mean blinks ( p = 0.8678) compared with their baseline scores. The assessment of blinks was the most sensitive measure for potential SRC (0.67). The K-D/ET duration was the most specific measure for potential SRC (0.88). An increase in the number of blinks had a fair specificity of 0.69. Conclusion : The rapid number-naming component of the K-D test is an assessment tool which quantifies impairment to oculomotor function and has been validated as a diagnostic tool for SRC. The clinical usefulness of the eye tracking component of the K-D/ET test is that it may be an effective method to assess concussions with the eye tracking component serving as a measure of progression and return to play. However, more research is required at the adult and youth level.