The Long-term Effects of Concussion on Balance &

MemoryTyler Uber, Kieu Nguyen, Corey Sheard, Megan

Dunlap, & Ben MaglioccaPenn State Behrend

Concussion• The American Association of Neurological Surgeons (2015)

stated that a type of traumatic brain injury that is caused by a hit to the head, fall, or another injury that jars or shakes the brain inside the skull resulting in damage.

Introduction• There has been minimal research on the long-term

effects of concussion (McCauley, Wilde, Barnes, Hanten, Hunter, Levin, & Smith, 2014).• Most concussion test focus primarily on memory and

reaction time (McCrae, 2014).• After 48 hours from the incident, most people show

improvements (McCrae, 2014)• Balance disorders are a common impairment resultant

of concussion (Gil-Gomez, Gonzales, Alcaniz, Noe, & Colomer, 2011).

Introduction: Purpose• The topic of concussion is increasing in the public

eye. • There is not enough research for this popular topic.• Purpose- Determine whether the history of

concussions, is related to balance and/or memory.

Hypothesis• 1. Participants that have experienced a

concussion will show greater deficiency in balance and memory than those who have not• 2. Participants with the most recent concussion

will show the highest deficiency in balance and memory.

Method: Participants

• Total Number of Participants – 138 • Males – 78 ; Females 60

•Number of Participants with concussion – 78• Males - ; Females –

Method: Procedure• Informed Consent and explanation of study • Demographic Questionnaire- concussion history, sports

participated in, how/when injury occurred, & current symptoms • Digit Span Task (Wechsler, 1945)- Targeted working memory

specifically concentration with strings of numbers• Operation Span Task- Working memory using a math

problems and letters; measured 5 scores/errors• Continuous Performance Task- Measured reaction time for

target & non-target

Method and Procedure Cont.• Nintendo Wii Fit Plus- 3 Balance Tests using Wii Balance

Board• Ultimate Balance Test- Participant attempts to maintain

50/50 weight distribution• Single Leg Test- Participant stands for 30 seconds using

one leg• Stillness Test- Established center of pressure

Digit Span Task t(138) = -0.79, p = .937

Absolute Score t(138)= -.532, p = .596Load Score t(138)= -.253, p = .800Math Score t(138)= 1.336, p = .184Speed Score t(138) = 1.23, p = .221

Target F(1, 138) = 169.1, p< .001Group, F(1, 138) = .253, p = 0.616Interaction of Group and Target, F(1, 138)= .309, p= 0.579

Ultimate Balance Test, t(138) = -.510, p = .611Single Leg Test, t(138) = -.055, p = .996Stillness Test, t(138) = -.323, p = .747

Discussion• Concussed participants showed trending deficiencies for

working memory supporting 1st hypothesis (Operational Span Task –Absolute Score)• Concussed participants demonstrated slower reaction times

during Processing Speed Task• Elapsed time from injury is trending but not significant• Limitation- Subject Pool• We encourage more research to be conducted in this field.