Current Research and Published Scientific Articles

Eye-Movement Training Results in Changes in qEEG and NIH Stroke Scale in Subjects Suffering from Acute Middle Cerebral Artery Ischemic Stroke: A Randomized Control Trial

Published Scientific Article

Context: Eye-movement training (EMT) can induce altered brain activation and change the functionality of saccades with changes of the brain in general. Objective: To determine if EMT would result in changes in qEEG and NIH Stroke Scales (NIHSS) in patients suffering from acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. Our hypothesis is that there would be positive changes in qEEG and NIHSS after EMT in patients suffering from acute MCA ischemic stroke. Design: Double blind randomized controlled trial. Setting and Participants: 34 subjects with acute MCA ischemic stroke at university affiliated hospital intensive care unit. Interventions: Subjects were randomized into a "control" group treated only with aspirin (125 mg/day) and a "treatment" group treated with aspirin (125 mg/day) and a subject specific EMT. Main Outcome measures: Delta-Alpha Ratio, Power Ratio Index and the Brain Symmetry Index calculated by quantitative electroencephalograms, and NIHSS. Results: There was strong statistical and substantive significant improvement in all outcome measures for the group of stroke patients undergoing EMT. Such improvement was not observed for the "control" group and there were no adverse effects. Conclusions: The addition of EMT to a MCA ischemic stroke treatment paradigm has demonstrated statistically significant changes in outcome measures and is a low cost, safe and effective complement to standard treatment.

Full Research Document: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291557243_Eye-Movement_Training_Results_in_Changes_in_qEEG_and_NIH_Stroke_Scale_in_Subjects_Suffering_from_Acute_Middle_Cerebral_Artery_Ischemic_Stroke_A_Randomized_Control_Trial



Measurement Error in the Immediate Postconcussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT): Systematic Review

Published Scientific Article

OBJECTIVE: To review the literature on the reliability of the Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT).

DESIGN: Systematic review of the relevant literature in PubMed, CINAHL, and PSYCHINFO. Studies were evaluated using the STROBE instrument and custom developed items.

RESULTS: Search yielded 5 943 articles. Ten studies met the inclusion criteria and were reviewed. With the exception of processing speed, all composite scores consistently exhibited poor to moderate reliability (ie, intraclass correlation coefficient <0.80). When considering 2 time points, participants who were misclassified as experiencing a "reliable change" in any score ranged between 5% and 26% for verbal memory, 2.2% and 19.6% for visual memory, 4% and 24% for processing speed, and 4% and 23.2% for reaction time.

CONCLUSIONS: The Pearson r correlation coefficient and average measures intraclass correlation coefficient may be inappropriately utilized to examine the reliability of ImPACT scores. Given the poor to moderate reliability of most ImPACT scores, clinicians should be cautious when ImPACT is used as a criterion for medical clearance to return to play after concussion. Because of its widespread use in concussion-related clinical research, researchers must exercise due diligence when utilizing ImPACT to evaluate outcomes after concussion or to validate other outcome measures.

Full Research Document: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/26291631/



Head–Eye Vestibular Motion Therapy Affects the Mental and Physical Health of Severe Chronic Postconcussion Patients

Published Scientific Article

Context: Approximately 1.8–3.6 million annual traumatic brain injuries occur in the United States. An evidence-based treatment for concussions that is reliable and effective has not been available.

Objective: The objective of this study is to test whether head–eye vestibular motion (HEVM) therapy is associated with decreased symptoms and increased function in postconcussive syndrome (PCS) patients that have been severely impaired for greater than 6 months after a mild traumatic brain injury.