Associations among self-reported balance problems, post-concussion symptoms and performance-based tests: a longitudinal follow-up study.

PURPOSE

The main objectives of this study were to describe long-term self-reported balance problems and to explore their associations with post-concussion symptoms and performance-based tests.

METHOD

Prospective study of patients with mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI). Self-reported balance problems and post-concussion symptoms were measured with the Rivermead Post-concussion Symptoms Questionnaire at 1 and 4 years after injury. Performance-based tests were performed 4 years after injury and included posturography, the Dynamic Gait Index (DGI), walking speed tests, and the six-minute walk test.

RESULTS

Self-reported balance problems were reported in 31% of patients 4 years after injury and correlated significantly with post-concussion symptoms. The correlations with performance-based tests varied from ρ = 0.18 to ρ = 0.70 and were strongest for the maximum walking speed test (ρ = 0.70) and a dual-task test (ρ = 0.43). The DGI had a considerable ceiling effect.

CONCLUSIONS

Balance problems were long-term consequences of MTBI in one third of this study sample. Self-reported balance problems correlated with post-concussion symptoms and some of the performance-based tests. Future research needs to develop and evaluate appropriate rehabilitation strategies that also address the balance problems.