Context: Concussion assessment in adapted and para-sport athletes has continued to evolve with growing considerations in para-sports, but little is known about vestibular/ocular performance assessment in this sample.
Objective: To examine baseline performance on the Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) in collegiate adapted athletes. A secondary objective was to investigate the role of sex, history of concussion, and functional classification on baseline measures.
Design: Cross-sectional study.
Setting: University adapted athletics facility.
Patients or other participants: 54 collegiate adapted athletes (age=21.19±2.6 years) from multiple institution's adapted athletics programs across the United States.
Main outcome measures: Adapted athletes completed a baseline VOMS assessment while at the host university for in-season competition and tournaments. Independent variables were sex, history of concussion and functional classification (1.0-4.5 at 0.5 intervals). VOMS performance consisted of pre-test symptoms (headache, dizziness, nausea, and fogginess) and post-item (e.g., smooth pursuits, saccades) symptom provocation/change from pre-test scores.
Results: 50.9% reported 0 symptom provocation on the VOMS, with 72% having no pre-test symptoms. No sex differences were noted on the VOMS (p>0.05); However, adapted athletes with a history of concussion reported greater VOMS provocation on horizontal saccades (p=0.008) than those with no history. Higher functional classifications (2.0-4.5) reported greater provocation on horizontal saccades (p=0.010), horizontal and vertical saccades (p=0.043 and 0.048) vestibular ocular reflex (VOR), and VOR cancellation (p=0.036) than 1.0-1.5 athletes.
Conclusions: Our findings provide context for baseline VOMS performance in collegiate adapted athletes and identifying modifiers at baseline. Special consideration is warranted on vestibular and oculomotor assessment in adapted and para-sport athletes with a history of concussion and higher functional classifications.
Keywords: baseline testing; disability; traumatic brain injuries.