A digital headset is designed to measure changes in brain function that could impact decisions about when an athlete is ready to return to play after a concussion. A study by UC San Francisco found that the device detected brain changes even in athletes whose concussion symptoms had disappeared, suggesting they may be returning to play too soon.
While the device is not yet approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it could be valuable for athletes, clinicians, trainers, and coaches concerned about the long-term effects of sports-related concussions, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s diseases.
The UCSF-patented headset, licensed by MindRhythm, registered changes in “headpulse,” subtle forces on the skull as the heart contracts. The study, published in JAMA Network Open on Aug. 11, 2023, evaluated the device’s performance on 101 young adults who experienced 44 concussions while playing Australian Rules Football.
The changes detected by the headset lasted an average of 12 days longer than the players’ symptoms.
Dr. Cathra Halabi, from the UCSF Department of Neurology and the Weill Institute for Neurosciences, who is the first author of the study, said, “We found a mismatch between symptoms and changes in biometrics recorded by the device. This raises concern about relying on symptoms for return-to-play decisions. Delays could be recommended for those symptom-free athletes if head pulse abnormalities persist.”
Cathra Halabi, MD
Researchers emphasized that the headset should be used alongside medical expertise.
Senior author Dr. Wade S. Smith, Chief of the UCSF Neurovascular Division and co-founder of MindRhythm, stated, “We believe that it can provide critical objective biometric measures that can be used by athletes and medical professionals to decide when to return to play. The headset is also used to monitor athletes afterward to ensure measures remain in the normal range.”
Concussed brain at risk if physical activity resumed
Playing sports with a concussion increases the risk of brain damage. Dr. Smith warned of the rare condition called second impact syndrome, where a second concussion soon after can lead to near-immediate brain death.
They also noted that playing sports with a concussion may result in a greater risk for subsequent brain injury due to symptoms such as delayed reaction time, impaired balance, or vision.
According to Dr. Halabi, recurrent concussions in close succession can lead to more debilitating symptoms that last longer, which can keep athletes out of the game.
While the headset was tested in young adults, it may eventually be used with minors. MindRhythm aims to obtain FDA approval within one year and make the technology available to sports medicine physicians and concussion clinics.
Athletes with a concussion could potentially self-monitor their biometric measurements, and clinicians or athletic trainers may remotely monitor the data and provide guidance on when it is safe to resume sports and physical activities.
Source:
University of California – San Francisco
Journal reference:
Halabi, C., et al. (2023). Headpulse Biometric Measures Following Concussion in Young Adult Athletes. JAMA Network Open. doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.28633.