Assessment of Postural Control, Dizziness and Musculoskeletal Impairments in Post-Concussion Children and Adolescents

Abstract

This three-paper, five-chapter dissertation aimed to examine the three commonly seen impairment categories post-concussion i.e. postural control, musculoskeletal impairments and dizziness to provide clinicians with clinically useful information regarding these impairment categories. This dissertation also provides the details on psychometric properties of a recently developed patient reported measure to evaluate perceived disability due to post-concussion dizziness in children and adolescents. There were three independent studies that were associated with this dissertation. The first study provides details on the relative and absolute reliability postural control measures in typically developing children and adolescents. The second study describes the various impairment categories that were observed in children and adolescents post-concussion. This study will aid towards formulation of a population specific structured tool for the cervical spine impairments following concussion. The final study evaluated the psychometric properties of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory- children and adolescents (DHI-CA) in post-concussion children and adolescents. This study will aid clinicians in making informed clinical decisions while evaluating perceived disability due to dizziness following a concussion in children and adolescents. Chapter I of this dissertation provides background information for each of the three studies and chapter V describes the integrated discussion and a broad conclusion.