NMU Concussion Research Clinic - Health and Human Performance

Your first visit to the clinic will begin with a member of our concussion research team evaluating your current status. A series of symptom inventories will be conducted to further inform us of your condition. Followed by a physical assessment.

ImPACT Quick Test©, ImPACT Pediatric© and ImPACT© are all utilized in this clinic. ImPACT neurocognitive testing provides a computerized module that can be compared to individuals baseline or baseline norms for a comparable population. Dr. Moore is an Impact Trained Athletic Trainer (ITAT) and has been since 2014.

The Biodex Balance System is ideal for pre-season baseline, injury pre-disposition or return to activity. It is the most popular neuro rehabilitation, vestibular physiotherapy device, and balance training system.

The Biodex Balance System has been designed to meet the needs of everyone looking to improve balance, increase agility, develop muscle tone and treat a wide variety of pathologies.

The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5 is a standardized sideline concussion screening tool for use by medical professionals. The SCAT-5 can be used to assess athletes ages 13 and older for a variety of mental and physical changes following a head injury.

BESS TESTING:
The Balance Error Scoring System provides a portable, cost‐effective, and objective method of assessing static postural stability.  In the absence of expensive, sophisticated postural stability assessment tools, the BESS can be used to assess the effects of mild head injury on static postural stability. Information obtained from this clinical balance tool can be used to assist clinicians in making return to play decisions following mild head injury. 

The BESS can be performed in nearly any environment and takes approximately 10 minutes to conduct.

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index is a self-report questionnaire that assesses sleep quality over a 1-month time interval. The measure consists of 19 individual items, creating 7 components that produce one global score, and takes 5–10 minutes to complete.

In scoring the PSQI, seven component scores are derived, each scored 0 (no difficulty) to 3 (severe difficulty). The component scores are summed to produce a global score (range 0 to 21). Higher scores indicate worse sleep quality.

The DHI is a 25-item self-assessment inventory designed to evaluate the self-perceived handicapping effects imposed by dizziness.  It is a subjective measure of the patient’s perception of handicap due to the dizziness.

The Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) is a 21-item self-reporting questionnaire for evaluating the severity of depression in normal and psychiatric populations. We utilize this questionnaire in our patient intake form.

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was designed as a rapid screening instrument for mild cognitive dysfunction. It assesses different cognitive domains: attention and concentration, executive functions, memory, language, visuoconstructional skills, conceptual thinking, calculations, and orientation. 

The Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT) is a validated test to measure the amount of aerobic exercise that is safe to perform, even in the acute phase after concussion. The heart rate (HR) achieved at symptom exacerbation on the BCTT is called the heart rate threshold (HRt).

Otherwise known as the Gapski-Goodman Test. This test combines alternating aerobic and anaerobic states, and sport-specific vestibular and visual challenges designed to mimic a dynamic sporting environment. The GGT has been used as a final RTP test at the professional sport level for more than 5 years.

Our team is well diversified in the use of manual therapies. These services are offered as well to assist in enhancing your recovery process.

• Cupping
• Muscle Energy
• Instrument Assisted Manual Therapy
• Stretching
• Targeted Massage

Included amongst our concussion rehabilitation services are the various tests and treatments listed above, along with a number of other treatment protocols designed to reduce concussion symptoms and return athletes to participation faster.

This service is provided for the athletes that seek therapy in the clinic. We provide a number of tests and protocols for each athlete to ensure their ability to return to their sport safely and efficiently.

Dr. Bryan Dixon is the supervising physician of this clinic and is available to all patients who want or need a consultation or referral. Our clinic works closely with NMU's speech and language pathology department as well as the mental health counseling department and offers referrals if necessary.