Measuring Brain Haemodynamic Activity and Afferent Visual Function: A Preliminary Study on the Relationship Between fNIRS, the King–Devick Test and Suspected Sport-Related Concussions
<b>Background/Objectives</b>: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) may help quantify changes in brain haemodynamics during sport-related concussions (SRCs). This study compared post-match prefrontal cortex (PFC) brain haemodynamics measured by fNIRS during the King–-Devick test...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Physiologia |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2673-9488/5/1/4 |
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| Summary: | <b>Background/Objectives</b>: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) may help quantify changes in brain haemodynamics during sport-related concussions (SRCs). This study compared post-match prefrontal cortex (PFC) brain haemodynamics measured by fNIRS during the King–-Devick test (K-DT) with players suspected of having sustained an SRC. It was hypothesized that changes in the K-DT would correspond with brain haemodynamic processes. <b>Methods</b>: Twenty-two male and female collegiate rugby players (six males and twenty-two females; age range: 18–22) completed a baseline K-DT+fNIRS assessment. Over the course of two to three matches, all participants were invited to complete at least one post-match K-DT+fNIRS assessment. If a player was suspected of having sustained an SRC, they were re-assessed with the K-DT+fNIRS. If a participant who was not suspected of having sustained an SRC performed worse on the K-DT post-match, they were included in the participant category of ‘concussion’ for the analysis. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed. Test–retest reliability was calculated using the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). A Pearson correlation coefficient (<i>r</i>) assessed the linear relationship between the changes in the K-DT and the measurements of the left and right PFC. <b>Results</b>: Differences were identified in the K-DT for the players with a suspected concussive injury post-match (χ2(1) =5.0; <i>p</i> = 0.0253; z = −2.0; <i>p</i> = 0.0431; d = 0.16). There were also significant differences between the baseline and post-match results for all concussed players in the right PFC (t(8) = 250; <i>p</i> = 0.0371; d = 0.92) and for the concussed females in the right PFC (t(6) = 2.78; <i>p</i> = 0.0319; d = 0.52). There were no correlations between the K-DT and PFC values in the suspected concussed group. <b>Conclusions</b>: The SRC group had decreased cognitive performance and a notable change in PFC activation, while the non-concussed group showed an increase in the activation in the PFC and no change in cognitive performance scores. This represents a possible acute adjustment in brain haemodynamics and provides insight into how SRCs can negatively impact cognitive performance. |
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| ISSN: | 2673-9488 |