Sensory Organization Test: Normative Data in Athletes with and without Concussion History - Abstract
Introduction: The human body balance system is a complex system of organs and mechanisms, which generate postural reactions to counter the displacement from the equilibrium position of the body center of gravity, and which control eye movement to maintain a stable image of the environment. Computerized Dynamic Posturography (CDP) allows for a quantitative and objective assessment of the sensory and motor components of the body balance control system as well as of the integration and adaptive mechanisms in the central nervous system.
Objective: To present a normative database for SOT scores from an athlete population.
Methods: University-level Athletes were categorized into the concussion-history group if they reported sustaining 2 or more concussions in the context of their university period experiences. Participants with one concussion were not included in the study. University-level Athletes with no concussion history were selected for the control group. Sensory Organization Test (SOT) protocol, with six conditions, was applied using the NeuroCom SMART EquiTest® Clinical Research System (CRS) (Natus Medical International, version 9.3, Clackamas, OR).
Results: There was no statistical difference within the demographic findings between the two group’s age, height, or weight. All conditions, except condition 1 presented a statistically significant difference comparing the values from one group to another, as well as for the four sensory organization ratios (p <.001).
Conclusion: Comparing the post-concussion scores to normative values can be used after injury as part of a multifaceted evaluation to identify postural control impairments. SOT could assist in the return to play decision even if the athlete has normal values for the test, decreasing the risk of another concussion.