BTrackS Balance Test for Concussion Management is Resistant to Practice Effects.

OBJECTIVE

Recent guidelines advocate for ongoing balance testing in the assessment of management of concussion injuries. This study sought to determine whether the Balance Tracking System (BTrackS) provides stable balance results over repeated administration and, thus, is a reliable tool for concussion management.

DESIGN

Repeated measures and test-retest reliability.

SETTING

University Biomechanics Laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS

Random sample of 20 healthy young adults.

INTERVENTIONS

Force plate balance testing using BTrackS on days 1, 3, 8, and 15.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Practice-induced changes in the average center of pressure excursion over 4 repeated administrations of the BTrackS Balance Test (BBT). Test-retest reliability of center of pressure excursion from day 1 to day 15.

RESULTS

No significant practice-induced balance differences were found across testing days (P > 0.4), and test-retest reliability of the BBT was excellent from day 1 to day 15 (R 0.92).

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that the BBT does not elicit a practice effect over repeat administrations. BTrackS provides excellent reliability and objectivity, which can increase clinician accuracy when monitoring sport-related concussions.