Do Sideline Tests of Vestibular and Oculomotor Function Accurately Diagnose Sports-Related Concussion in Adults? A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background: Sports-related concussion (SRC) assessment tools are primarily based on subjective assessments of somatic, cognitive, and psychosocial/emotional symptoms. SRC symptoms remain underreported, and objective measures of SRC impairments would be valuable to assist diagnosis. Measurable impairments to vestibular and oculomotor processing have been shown to occur after SRC and may provide valid objective assessments.

Trunk exercise training improves muscle size, strength, and function in older adults: A randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a multimodal exercise program to increase trunk muscle morphology and strength in older individuals, and their associated changes in functional ability. Using a single-blinded parallel-group randomized controlled trial design, 64 older adults (≥60 years) were randomly allocated to a 12-week exercise program comprising walking and balance exercises with or without trunk strengthening/motor control exercises; followed by a 6-week walking-only program (detraining; 32 per group). Trunk muscle morphology (ultrasound imaging), strength (isokinetic dynamometer), and functional ability and balance (6-Minute Walk Test; 30 second Chair Stand Test; Sitting and Rising Test; Berg Balance Scale, Multi-Directional Reach Test; Timed Up and Go; Four Step Square Test) were the primary outcome measures.

Youth Australian Footballers Experience Similar Impact Forces to the Head as Junior- and Senior-League Players: A Prospective Study of Kinematic Measurements.

The aims of this study were to investigate the frequency, magnitude, and distribution of head impacts sustained by youth AF players over a season of games and report subjective descriptions on the mechanism-of-injury and sign and symptoms experienced. A prospective observational cohort study with participants (n = 19) (age range 13-14 yr., mean ± SD 13.

In situ use of the King-Devick eye tracking test and changes seen with sport-related concussion: saccadic and blinks counts.

Objectives: Sport-related concussion (SRC) can result in impaired oculomotor function. Oculomotor performance, measured utilizing the King-Devick/Eye Tracking test (K-D/ET), is reported to be able to identify sub-optimal brain function. The objectives of the study were to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the K-D/ET in identifying SRC occurring from game participation and to perform a comparative analysis on saccade and blink counts for each K-D card individually and total counts between baseline and post-concussion.

Head Impact Exposure in Junior and Adult Australian Football Players.

This study measured and compared the frequency, magnitude, and distribution of head impacts sustained by junior and adult Australian football players, respectively, and between player positions over a season of games. Twelve junior and twelve adult players were tracked using a skin-mounted impact sensor. Head impact exposure, including frequency, magnitude, and location of impacts, was quantified using previously established methods.

The King-Devick test is a valid and reliable tool for assessing sport-related concussion in Australian football: A prospective cohort study.

Objectives: Sport-related concussion (SRC) research has focused on impaired oculomotor function. The King-Devick (K-D) test measures oculomotor performance and is reported to identify suboptimal brain function. The use of the K-D test in Australian football (AF), a sport involving body contact and tackling, has not been documented.

Associations between trunk muscle morphology, strength and function in older adults.

Skeletal muscle plays an important role in performing activities of daily living. While the importance of limb musculature in performing these tasks is well established, less research has focused on the muscles of the trunk. The purpose of the current study therefore, was to examine the associations between functional ability and trunk musculature in sixty-four community living males and females aged 60 years and older.

Examining the psychometric properties of a sport-related concussion survey: a Rasch measurement approach.

Background: Awareness of sport-related concussion (SRC) is an essential step in increasing the number of athletes or parents who report on SRC. This awareness is important, as there is no established data on medical care at youth-level sports and may be limited to individuals with only first aid training. In this circumstance, aside from the coach, it is the players and their parents who need to be aware of possible signs and symptoms.

Prevalence of head injury and medically diagnosed concussion in junior-level community-based Australian Rules Football.

Aim: For junior-level Australian Rules Football there is a paucity of head injury and concussion surveillance data; thus, the primary aim was to document head injury and concussion incidence in participants aged 9-17 years with a secondary aim to identify the mechanism-of-injury.

Methods: A prospective cohort study in which a designated representative for each of the 41 teams recorded on a weekly basis the number of head injuries suspected of being a concussion, diagnosed concussions and the mechanism-of-injury during competition games over the course of a 12-game season. For analysis three groups were formed - number of Player-Seasons, Athlete-Exposures, head injury and concussion incidence per 1000 Athlete-Exposures - and were calculated.

Lumbopelvic muscle activation patterns in adolescent fast bowlers.

Introduction: Adolescent fast bowlers are prone to sustaining lumbar injuries. Numerous components have been identified as contributing factors; however, there is limited empirical evidence outlining how the muscles of the lumbopelvic region, which play a vital role in stabilising the spine, function during the bowling action and the influence of such activation on injuries in the fast bowler.

Methods: Surface electromyography was utilised to measure the function of the lumbar erector spinae, lumbar multifidus, gluteus medius and gluteus maximus muscles bilaterally during the fast bowling action in a group of 35 cricket fast bowlers aged 12-16 years.

Simulated learning in musculoskeletal assessment and rehabilitation education: comparing the effect of a simulation-based learning activity with a peer-based learning activity.

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders and diseases are leading causes of pain, physical disability, and doctor visits throughout the world. Health professionals must be trained to assess, treat through rehabilitation and monitor patients with these disorders. Yet, due to overcrowded curricula, some health education programs struggle to accommodate more than minimal training in musculoskeletal conditions.

The effect of exercise training on lower trunk muscle morphology.

Background: Skeletal muscle plays an important role in maintaining the stability of the lumbar region. However, there is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of exercise on trunk muscle morphology.

Objective: To systematically review the literature on the effects of exercise training on lower trunk muscle morphology to determine the comparative effectiveness of different exercise interventions.

Development and psychometric evaluation of scales to measure professional confidence in manual medicine: a Rasch measurement approach.

Background: Health professionals in athletic training, chiropractic, osteopathy, and physiotherapy fields, require high-level knowledge and skills in their assessment and management of patients. This is important when communicating with patients and applying a range of manual procedures. Prior to embarking on professional practice, it is imperative to acquire optimal situation-specific levels of self-confidence for a beginner practitioner in these areas.

Tracing the evolution of chiropractic students' confidence in clinical and patient communication skills during a clinical internship: a multi-methods study.

Background: Anecdotal evidence points to variations in individual students' evolving confidence in clinical and patient communication skills during a clinical internship. A better understanding of the specific aspects of internships that contribute to increasing or decreasing confidence is needed to best support students during the clinical component of their study.

Methods: A multi-method approach, combining two large-scale surveys with 269 students and three in-depth individual interviews with a sub-sample of 29 students, was used to investigate the evolution of change in student confidence during a 10-month long internship.

Effect of Clinician Feedback Versus Video Self-Assessment in 5th-Year Chiropractic Students on an End-of-Year Communication Skills Examination.

Purpose: To compare the effect of two learning opportunities, clinician feedback and video self-assessment, on 5th-year chiropractic students' patient communication skills, specifically those required for history taking.

Methods: A cohort of 51 final-year students was divided into two groups. The first group received immediate feedback from a clinical supervisor following a history-taking encounter with a patient.

Importance of building confidence in patient communication and clinical skills among chiropractic students.

Purpose: One important objective of chiropractic education is to foster student professional confidence and competence in patient communication and clinical skills. Therefore, the aim of this article is to review the extant literature on this topic, stressing the significance of building students' confidence for effective practice and the need for more research in this area.

Methods: The authors reviewed MEDLINE and ERIC from 1980 through 2008 using several key words pertinent to confidence and health care.