The investigators aim to use a repeated measures observational study utilising a battery of multimodal assessment tools (symptom, cognitive, visual, motor). The investigators aim to recruit 200 rugby players (male and female) from University Rugby Union teams and local amateur rugby clubs in the North East of England. The multimodal battery assessment used in this study will compare metrics between digital methods and against traditional assessment.
Background: Pragmatic challenges remain in the monitoring and return to play (RTP) decisions following suspected Sports Related Concussion (SRC). Reliance on traditional approaches (pen and paper) means players readiness for RTP is often based on self-reported symptom recognition as a marker for full physiological recovery. Non-digital approaches also limit opportunity for robust data analysis which may hinder understanding of the interconnected nature and relationships in deficit recovery. Digital approaches may provide more objectivity to measure and monitor impairments in SRC. Crucially, there is dearth of protocols for SRC assessment and digital devices have yet to be tested concurrently (multimodal) in SRC rugby union assessment. Here the investigators propose a multimodal protocol for digital assessment in SRC, which could be used to enhance traditional sports concussion assessment approach. Methods: The investigators aim to use a repeated measures observational study utilising a battery of multimodal assessment tools (symptom, cognitive, visual, motor). The investigators aim to recruit 200 rugby players (male and female) from University Rugby Union teams and local amateur rugby clubs in the North East of England. The multimodal battery assessment used in this study will compare metrics between digital methods and against traditional assessment. Conclusion: This paper outlines a protocol for a multimodal approach for the use of digital technologies to augment traditional approaches to SRC, which may better inform RTP in rugby union. Findings may shed light on the new ways of working with digital tools in SRC. Multimodal approaches may enhance understanding of the interconnected nature of impairments and provide scalable, more objective assessment and RTP in SRC.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
200
Northumbria University
Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom
RECRUITINGStep time (mean ± standard deviation)
Altered free-living, quality-based gait/walking patterns measured by digital intertial wearable
Time frame: Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months
Stance time (seconds, mean ± standard deviation)
Altered free-living, quality-based gait/walking patterns measured by digital intertial wearable
Time frame: Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months
Stride time (seconds, mean ± standard deviation)
Altered free-living, quality-based gait/walking patterns measured by digital intertial wearable
Time frame: Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months
Swing time (seconds, mean ± standard deviation)
Altered free-living, quality-based gait/walking patterns measured by digital intertial wearable
Time frame: Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months
Stride length (cm, mean ± standard deviation)
Altered free-living, quality-based gait/walking patterns measured by digital intertial wearable
Time frame: Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months
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Stride velocity (cms-1), mean ± standard deviation)
Altered free-living, quality-based gait/walking patterns measured by digital intertial wearable
Time frame: Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months
Number of turns per hour (n, mean ± standard deviation)
Altered free-living, quality-based turning patterns measured by digital intertial wearable
Time frame: Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months
Turn angle (°, mean ± standard deviation)
Altered free-living, quality-based turning patterns measured by digital intertial wearable
Time frame: Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months
Turn duration (seconds, mean ± standard deviation))
Altered free-living, quality-based turning patterns measured by digital intertial wearable
Time frame: Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months
Turn velocity (°/seconds, mean ± standard deviation))
Altered free-living, quality-based turning patterns measured by digital intertial wearable
Time frame: Participants diagnosed with SRC will be asked to attend a laboratory session/free living assessment at the following subsequent time frames post injury; within 72 hours post, 7-14 days post, within 30 days and 3-6 months