Abstract
Background:
Force plate sway velocities are a tool utilized to evaluate vestibular function and track recovery following concussion. Sway velocities can be quantified through force plate (FP) testing, which provides objective insight into postural stability. By analyzing sway velocity in relation to symptom chronicity, this study aims to explore its utility in differentiating acute and chronic pediatric concussion patients.
Hypothesis:
There is a statistically significant difference in presenting force plate sway velocity scores between pediatric patients in the acute phase (<3 months) and those in the chronic phase (>3 months) following concussion.
Methods:
A total of 107 pediatric patients were evaluated using force plate sway velocity (FPSV) testing. Patients were stratified into two groups based on symptom duration: acute (<3 months) and chronic (>3 months). FPSV were motion-captured in 4 positions measuring sway in degrees/sec per protocol on initial presentation and all follow up visits. These positions included bilateral stance eyes open, eyes closed, eyes open foam, eyes closed foam. Larger values indicated greater sway or dysfunction. Mean sway velocities were calculated for each group, and statistical comparison was conducted using an independent sample t-test.
Results:
The mean presenting FPSV in the acute group was 1.09, while the chronic group demonstrated a higher mean presenting FPSV of 1.41. This difference demonstrated a statistically significant difference with a p-value of 0.024.
Conclusion:
This study demonstrates a statistically significant increase in presenting sway velocity among pediatric patients with chronic post-concussion symptoms compared to those in the acute phase. These findings suggest that force plate sway velocity testing may be a useful objective marker in identifying patients at risk for prolonged recovery. Given the observed difference, future studies should investigate whether early FPSV measurements can serve as predictive tools for symptom duration and recovery trajectory in pediatric concussion management.