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Int J Sports Med 2018; 39(09): 682-687
DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-101454
Behavioural Sciences
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A History of Concussion Does Not Lead to an Increase in Ocular Near Point of Convergence

Paul van Donkelaar
1   University of British Columbia, Health and Exercise Sciences, Kelowna, Canada
,
Jill Dierijck
1   University of British Columbia, Health and Exercise Sciences, Kelowna, Canada
,
Alexander Wright
2   University of British Columbia, MD/PhD Program, Kelowna, Canada
,
Jonathan Smirl
1   University of British Columbia, Health and Exercise Sciences, Kelowna, Canada
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted 11 January 2018

Publication Date:
21 June 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Ocular near point of convergence (NPC) has been shown to be sensitive to the effects of concussion and subconcussive impacts. To determine if NPC is also sensitive to a previous history of concussion, male contact-sport athletes either with (n=26) or without (n=16) a history of at least one previous concussion had their NPC assessed. The results showed that participants with a history of concussion displayed NPC values (9.4±1.6 cm) indistinguishable from those with no history of concussion (8.4±2.1 cm, t-test, p=0.09). This was the case regardless of whether 1, 2, or 3 or more concussions had occurred and despite the fact participants with concussion (mean time since last concussion: 1136 days) suffered from an increased number and severity of symptoms as assessed with the SCAT 3 (3.6±2.2 vs. 2.13±1.89 symptoms, 6.1±4.1 vs. 3.19±2.99 severity, t-test, p<0.05). Taken together, these results imply that NPC may not be a suitable tool to assess the potential long-term effects of one or more concussions over a longer time frame. Future research using larger sample sizes is warranted to evaluate the potential dose-response relationship between number of prior concussions and NPC.

Key words

concussion - near point of convergence - accommodation - visual function
 

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