Modest utility of brief oculomotor test for concussion screening in military mixed-martial arts training

• Published in: Brain injury Vol. 33; no. 13-14; pp. 1646 - 1651
• Main Authors: Dretsch, Michael N., Fauth, Jenifer, Moya, Marcelo M., Connaboy, Chris, Kontos, Anthony
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Taylor & Francis 06-12-2019
• Subjects: Concussion; King-Devick; mild traumatic brain injury; MMA; oculomotor; MMA; King-Devick; Concussion; mild traumatic brain injury; oculomotor
• DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2019.1658226
• EISSN: 1362-301X
• ISSN: 0269-9052

Primary Objective: To assess a rapid concussion screening tool in Service members participating in combatives (mixed martial arts; MMA) training school.
Research Design: This prospective study included baseline and either post-training or post-injury assessments.
Methods and Procedures: Baseline (N = 152) and post-assessments (n = 129) of Service members included symptom reporting and the King-Devick (KD) oculomotor test.
Outcomes and Results: Headache, balance problems, and dizziness were the most severe concussive symptoms. KD scores for those who sustained a concussion (n = 31) were significantly worse compared to baseline, but not for participants who finished the course with no concussion (n = 98). For concussed, 74.2% had scores that were worse from baseline (slower) compared to 39.8% of the post-training group. KD scores were worse 34.4% more in individuals who sustained a concussion compared to those who did not. However, there was poor discriminant ability of the KD test (AUC = .60, sensitivity/specificity) to distinguish between concussed and non-concussed participants.
Conclusions: The KD test should not be used in isolation as a sideline or field concussion assessment during training scenarios. Rather, it has potential utility for evaluating individual cases to supplement decision making when an established baseline is available.