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ObjectiveTo compare head kinematics measurements obtained from 6 different head impact sensors utilizing different methods of sensor-to-head fixation. DesignFree-drop impacts (total n = 54) were performed at 3.5 and 5.5 m/s onto to the front, back, side, and top of 2 elderly human cadaveric head-neck specimens: a helmeted (Riddell Revolution Speed) male specimen was dropped onto a NOCSAE testing pad; an un-helmeted female specimen was dropped onto a framed sample of field turf. The specimens were instrumented with an intracranial reference sensor surgically mounted at the approximate head center-of-mass by a rigidly-fixed custom standoff pad, an intra-oral test sensor rigidly fixed to the upper teeth/hard palate by a custom orthodontic appliance, and 4 commercially available head impact sensing systems: X-Patch, Vector mouth guard, HITS (helmeted condition only), and G-Force Tracker (affixed to helmet interior or head band depending on helmet status). Peak linear and rotational head accelerations (PLA and PRA) were compared between each sensor and the intracranial reference sensor using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC [2, 1]). ResultsAgreement with reference PLA and PRA values differed between sensors, with the greatest agreement observed for the rigidly affixed intraoral sensor (ICC = 0.921, PLA; ICC = 0.810, PRA). Agreement for PLA and PRA, respectively, was: for X-Patch, ICC = 0.638, ICC = 0.155; for Vector mouth guard, ICC = 0.775, ICC = 0.480; for HITS, ICC = 0.662 (PLA only); for G-Force Tracker, ICC = 0.364 (PLA only).

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ObjectiveWe sought to longitudinally evaluate concussion recovery in collegiate athletes with ADHD who were and were not taking psycho-stimulant medication.BackgroundPsycho-stimulant medication is commonly prescribed to individuals with ADHD. Some have posited that psycho-stimulant medications may mitigate impairments following sport-related concussion. However, no studies longitudinally evaluated the influence of psycho-stimulant medications on concussion recovery in collegiate athletes.Design/MethodsData from the NCAA-DOD Grand Alliance: Concussion Assessment, Research, and Education (CARE) Consortium were used to evaluate athletes with ADHD who were not taking psycho-stimulant medications (Rx-ADHD; n = 20), athletes with ADHD who were taking psycho-stimulant medications (Rx+ADHD; n = 20), and controls (n = 80). Athletes with ADHD were double-matched to controls on biological sex, age, and body mass index. All athletes were assessed prior to their sporting season, 24-48 hours post-injury, and again upon unrestricted return-to-play (RTP). Cognition and clinical symptoms were evaluated using the ImPACT test.ResultsAthletes in the Rx-ADHD (10.4 ± 1.5 days) and Rx + ADHD (11.9 ± 1.7) groups exhibited prolonged symptom durations compared to controls (4.2 ± .8; p’s ≤ 0.05). Repeated-measures analyses of covariance (baseline scores = covariate) group × time interactions for multiple variables (p’s ≤ 0.05). Univariate analyses revealed that both groups with ADHD demonstrated poorer verbal memory, and greater total symptoms at 24–48 hours post-injury than controls (p’s ≤ 0.01). Additionally, athletes in the Rx-ADHD group demonstrated poorer cognitive efficiency at 24–48 hours post-injury, and at RTP than controls (p’s ≤ 0.05). Lastly, athletes in the Rx+ADHD group demonstrated slower visual motor speed at 24–48 hours post-injury, and at RTP than controls (p’s ≤ 0.05).ConclusionsT Our findings suggest that following concussion athletes with ADHD may experience longer recovery than controls, regardless of medicated status. Interestingly, athletes with ADHD who were taking medication did not appear to have different recovery time relative to un-medicated athletes with ADHD.

ObjectiveTo compare head kinematics measurements obtained from 6 different head impact sensors utilizing different methods of sensor-to-head fixation. DesignFree-drop impacts (total n = 54) were performed at 3.5 and 5.5 m/s onto to the front, back, side, and top of 2 elderly human cadaveric head-neck specimens: a helmeted (Riddell Revolution Speed) male specimen was dropped onto a NOCSAE testing pad; an un-helmeted female specimen was dropped onto a framed sample of field turf. The specimens were instrumented with an intracranial reference sensor surgically mounted at the approximate head center-of-mass by a rigidly-fixed custom standoff pad, an intra-oral test sensor rigidly fixed to the upper teeth/hard palate by a custom orthodontic appliance, and 4 commercially available head impact sensing systems: X-Patch, Vector mouth guard, HITS (helmeted condition only), and G-Force Tracker (affixed to helmet interior or head band depending on helmet status). Peak linear and rotational head accelerations (PLA and PRA) were compared between each sensor and the intracranial reference sensor using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC [2, 1]). ResultsAgreement with reference PLA and PRA values differed between sensors, with the greatest agreement observed for the rigidly affixed intraoral sensor (ICC = 0.921, PLA; ICC = 0.810, PRA). Agreement for PLA and PRA, respectively, was: for X-Patch, ICC = 0.638, ICC = 0.155; for Vector mouth guard, ICC = 0.775, ICC = 0.480; for HITS, ICC = 0.662 (PLA only); for G-Force Tracker, ICC = 0.364 (PLA only).