Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/40757
Title: In situ use of the King-Devick eye tracking test and changes seen with sport-related concussion: saccadic and blinks counts
Contributor(s): Hecimovich, Mark (author); King, Douglas  (author); Dempsey, Alasdair (author); Gittins, Mason (author); Murphy, Myles (author)
Publication Date: 2019
Early Online Version: 2018-09-28
DOI: 10.1080/00913847.2018.1525261
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/40757
Abstract: 

Objectives: Sport-related concussion (SRC) can result in impaired oculomotor function. Oculomotor performance, measured utilizing the King-Devick/Eye Tracking test (K-D/ET), is reported to be able to identify sub-optimal brain function. The objectives of the study were to determine the diagnostic accuracy of the K-D/ET in identifying SRC occurring from game participation and to perform a comparative analysis on saccade and blink counts for each K-D card individually and total counts between baseline and post-concussion.
Methods: Nineteen male Australian Football players were assessed on the K-D/ET test. Those suspected of having SRC secondary to a head impact were also tested.
Results: Participants recorded a slower time on the third (20.2 ± 4.6 s) screen when compared with the first (p = 0.0424) and second (p = 0.0150) screens. The number of blinks was higher on the third (2.9 ± 2.9) when compared with the second (p = 0.0057) screen. There was decrease of the K-D/ET total times between pre- and post-game (p = 0.1769). Participants who sustained a head impact recorded slower mean total K-D time (p = 0.7322), fewer mean total saccades (p = 0.0112), and more mean blinks (p = 0.8678) compared with their baseline scores. The assessment of blinks was the most sensitive measure for potential SRC (0.67). The K-D/ET duration was the most specific measure for potential SRC (0.88). An increase in the number of blinks had a fair specificity of 0.69.
Conclusion: The rapid number-naming component of the K-D test is an assessment tool which quantifies impairment to oculomotor function and has been validated as a diagnostic tool for SRC. The clinical usefulness of the eye tracking component of the K-D/ET test is that it may be an effective method to assess concussions with the eye tracking component serving as a measure of progression and return to play. However, more research is required at the adult and youth level.

Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: The Physician and Sportsmedicine, 47(1), p. 78-84
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Inc
Place of Publication: United States of America
ISSN: 2326-3660
0091-3847
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 320225 Sports medicine
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 130602 Organised sports
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
School of Science and Technology

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