INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO CONCUSSION ASSESSMENT

Abstract

The current return to learn or play protocol following concussions dictates a gradual return to learn or play by increasing the difficulty of physical and cognitive activities in a controlled environment under the supervision of health care providers. While the return to learn or play protocol is well established and universally accepted, about half of the concussed individuals reported recurrent symptoms or worsening of symptoms after returning to school and sports activities following a gradual RTP protocol. A possible explanation for this return to learn or play failure is that the current concussion assessment tools are not able to identify the residual post-concussion deficits effectively. This indicates that there is a need for concussion assessment tools that are able to identify residual post-concussion deficits precisely in clinical settings. To better inform the ultimate understanding of post-concussion deficits and improve concussion assessment, this dissertation proposes three innovative approaches to concussion assessment using dual task, mobile application-based neurocognitive test, and subtype.