Virtual Environment TBI Screen (VETS)

The project has validated a technologically advanced, yet portable system, which will be beneficial to deployed warfighters and clinical military personnel. The device can be used to provide a quick assessment of physiological processes involved in postural control, which will assist with clinical screening of traumatic brain injury TBI. Knowledge of acute symptoms associated with TBI can help clinicians make important decisions regarding treatment andor return to duty. Early identification of motor symptoms caused by TBI will help expedite full recovery of service members to pre-injury health. The research plan involves a novel combination of virtual reality VR technology with intensive balance challenges performed on a modified Wii Balance Board. Implementation of this device will enhance current approaches in TBI and mild TBI i.e. concussion diagnosis and rehabilitation management with high relevance to the military and general population e.g. sports concussion. One of the final products of the project includes a new device and software user-interface that has been tested and validated relative to a high-quality research-grade forceplate and we tested clinical concurrent validity of device relative to clinical criterion-measures Neurocom SOT and BESS. Normative values on healthy civilians and military, and concussed individuals were tested. Military test sites that were completed included multiple USCG stations and the Naval Post-Graduate School.