Citation

Tjarks BJ, Dorman JC, Valentine VD, Munce TA, Thompson PA, Kindt SL, Bergeron MF. J. Neurol. Sci. 2013; 334(1-2): 148-153.

Affiliation

Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota, 1400 W. 22nd St., Sioux Falls, SD 57105, United States. Electronic address: Brian.Tjarks@usd.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2013, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jns.2013.08.015

PMID

24007870

Abstract

The King-Devick (KD) oculomotor test has recently been advocated for sideline diagnosis of concussion. Although visual processing and performance are often impaired in concussion patients, the utility of KD as a concussion diagnostic tool is not validated. PURPOSE: To examine the diagnostic value of KD, by comparing KD with post-concussion symptom scale (PCSS) and ImPACT® composite scores. We hypothesized that KD would be correlated with visual motor speed/memory (VMS, VIS) and reaction time (RT), because all require cognitive visual processing. We also expected parallel changes in KD and PCSS across recovery. METHODS: Thirty-five concussed individuals (12-19y; 18 females, 17 males) were evaluated with PCSS, ImPACT® composite and KD scores over four clinical visits (V). RESULTS: KD times improved with each visit (ΔV1-V2: 7.86±11.82; ΔV2-V3: 9.17±11.07; ΔV3-V4: 5.30±7.87s) and paralleled improvements in PCSS (ΔV1-V2: 8.97±20.27; ΔV2-V3: 8.69±14.70; ΔV3-V4: 6.31±7.71), RT (ΔV1-V2: 0.05±0.21; ΔV2-V3: 0.09±0.19; ΔV3-V4 0.03±0.07) and VMS (ΔV1-V2: -5.27±6.98; ΔV2-V3: -2.61±6.48; ΔV3-V4: -2.35±5.22). Longer KD times were associated with slower RT (r=0.67; P<0.0001) and lower VMS (r=-0.70; P<0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSION: Cognitive visual performance testing using KD has utility in concussion evaluation. Validation would further establish KD as an effective ancillary tool in longitudinal concussion management and research.

Language: en