The chronic effects of concussion on gait

Douglas N. Martini, Matthew J. Sabin, Sarah A. Depesa, Elisa W. Leal, Tabitha N. Negrete, Jacob J. Sosnoff, Steven P. Broglio

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effects of concussion on gait patterns of young adults with and without a history of concussion during single- and dual-task paradigms. Design: Cross-sectional evaluation. Setting: A research laboratory. Participants: Persons with (n=28; mean, 6.32y postinjury) and without (n=40) a concussion history. Intervention: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: A battery of gait analyses during single- and dual-task conditions. Normalized velocity, step length, stride width, number correct from cognitive task, time in single-leg stance, and time in double-leg stance were the variables of interest. Gait was analyzed using an electronic walkway system, and the Brooks visuospatial cognitive task was used to index cognition. Results: Data analyses using multiple 2-way repeated-measures analyses of variance and correlations indicated that participants with a history of concussion spent significantly more time in a double-leg stance and significantly decreased time in a single-leg stance and had slower gait velocity. There also was a significant negative correlation between number of concussions and time in single-leg stance and positive correlations between number of concussions and time in double-leg stance and double-stance percent. Conclusion: These findings suggest that persons with a history of concussion adopt a more conservative gait strategy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)585-589
Number of pages5
JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume92
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 2011

Keywords

  • Cognitive function
  • Dual task
  • Motor control
  • Rehabilitation
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation

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