The investigation of four technologies to assist in detecting mild to moderate traumatic brain injury of U.S. Military service members

BACKGROUND: A standard, reliable, objective measure is needed for identifying individuals with mild to moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine balance using an AMTI OR6-7 force platform (FP), neurocognition and mood using the Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metric4 (ANAM4), blood flow comparisons using a Brain Acoustic Monitor (BAM), and voice using Voice Analysis software (VA) for screening service members for a mild to moderate TBI. METHODS: Active duty and retired service member volunteers (n = 88, 35 with a diagnosis of mild to moderate TBI and 53 who never had a TBI) completed an informed consent document, and evaluations using the four technologies. RESULTS: Development of a clinical prediction rule yielded two FP variables and one ANAM4 Mood Scale variable (vigor) as helpful in predicting the presence of a TBI. Assuming a 15% pre-test probability, these predictors yield a post-test probability of 75.7% for a positive result with any two or more measures being positive, and a post-test probability of 2.3% for a negative result with zero measures being positive. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the usefulness of a force platform and a self-reported mood scale for predicting presence of mild to moderate TBI.