Changes in Measures of Cervical Spine Function, Vestibulo-ocular Reflex, Dynamic Balance, and Divided Attention Following Sport-Related Concussion in Elite Youth Ice Hockey Players

Background Concussion is a commonly occurring injury. The extent to which the cervical spine, vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), dynamic balance, and divided attention are affected following concussion is not well understood. Objectives To evaluate acute changes in measures of (1) cervical spine function, (2) VOR function, (3) dynamic balance, and (4) tasks of divided attention in elite youth ice hockey players following a sport-related concussion. Methods In this prospective cohort study, elite 13- to 17-year-old ice hockey players completed cervical spine measures (cervical flexor endurance test, head perturbation test, anterolateral strength, cervical flexion rotation test, joint position error), VOR function tests (head thrust test, dynamic visual acuity [clinical and computerized]), dynamic balance tests (Functional Gait Assessment), and divided-attention tasks (walking-while-talking test) both in the preseason and following concussion. Results At least 1 test was completed by 69 of 97 (71%) players (a m...