A mobile balance testing system to improve study of mTBI
Grant
Overview
abstract
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Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a significant problem in the armed services. Among military personnel, thirteen percent of service members have been diagnosed with at least one mTBI and likely the rates of mTBI are even higher during deployment. mTBI, especially multiple brain injuries, represent an increased risk for stress disorders (PTSD) and suicide. Currently, many of the readily identifiable markers of mTBI resolve quickly; however, substantial post-concussive symptoms and deficit may persist. Balance testing is well-supported objective measure of post-concussion impairment. For balance testing to have the biggest impact on assessment of mTBI, it needs occur in the field. There are many people exploring mobile balance testing systems. However, these systems are largely unvalidated. They are not sensitive enough to detect subtle changes, and even though symptoms of mTBI are known to persist for weeks, these types of tests show no balance alterations after a few days. Laboratory based advanced balance metrics can detect changes from mTBI for several months, enabling a much wider range of uses. The purpose of this proposal is to acquire a mobile balance testing laboratory, that is fully capable of performing all the advanced balance metrics performed in the traditional laboratory setting.
date/time interval
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February 2021 - September 2022
awarded by