Development of a Fitness-for-Duty Assessment Battery for Recovering Dismounted Warriors
Abstract
Balance problems and dizziness are common symptoms of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Anecdotal reports from occupational and physical therapists indicate that Soldiers recovering from mTBI are experiencing balance-related difficulties with weapons utilization. The purpose of the present study is to determine the vestibular and balance-related effects of mTBI on standard marksmanship abilities, as well as the sensitivity and reliability of a new dynamic marksmanship battery in detecting the effects of mTBI. Phase 1 collected data from sixty U.S. Army Soldiers (without a history of mTBI) using USAARL's Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 weapons simulator. Test-retest reliability of the novel battery was examined as well as the battery's sensitivity to induced vestibular disruption. Phase 2 collected data from nine U.S. Army Soldiers (with a history of mTBI). While there were no significant differences between the mTBI and control group, the mTBI group performed worse in terms of accuracy and shot radius on the narrow kneeling task. Implications for return-to-duty decision making are discussed.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 07, 2014
- Accession Number
- ADA601358
Entities
People
- Amanda Kelley
- Ben Lawson
- Bradley Erickson
- Brian Laskowski
- Catherine Grandizio
- Jim Chiaramonte
- Lee Livingston
- Melody King
- Pedro Cruz
- Timothy Cho
Organizations
- United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab