Virtual Reality Tools for the Assessment of Mild Brain Injury in Athletes
Faculty from Hershey Medical Center, the Departments of Kinesiology and
Psychology, and the Applied Research Lab are working with ITS/Academic Services
and Emerging Technologies Visualization Group to develop tools for early
assessment of mild brain injury in athletes by using virtual reality (VR)
technology combined with motion analysis and brain imaging techniques. Initial
testing and protocol development occurred during Spring 2002 using ASET's
Immersadesk VR facility. Freshmen football players were shown moving scenes on
the wide field of view Immersadesk screen while their postural responses were
measured using magnetic motion tracking devices. During the trials, the
subjects also stood on a force plate to record changes in their center of
pressure resulting from postural response to the perceived motion of the
virtual scene. With consulting and development assistance from the
Visualization Group, the Immersadesk protocol will be ported to a new facility
being constructed this fall in the Lasch Football Building to provide a larger
and more visually immersive screen, convenient access for the subjects and a
permanent home for additional assessment devices being used (e.g. EEG
measurement). During the research, athletes who suffer mild concussion injuries
will be assessed at various times post injury and during their recovery, in
order to better understand how behavioral response (primarily posture control)
and underlying neurophysical mechanisms (patterns of brain electrical
activation) are affected by mild traumatic brain injury. The project is funded
by a Hershey Medical Center Deans Feasibility Grant with additional funding,
equipment and in kind support from the departments involved. Participating
investigators include Dr. Wayne Sebastianelli, Hershey Medical Center; Dr. Sam
Slobounov, Kinesiology; Dr. Richard Tutwiler, Applied Research Lab; Elena
Slobounov, Visualization Group; Dr. William Ray, Psychology and Dr. Karl
Newell, Kinesiology.
Please send questions or suggestions about this web page to vizgroup@psu.edu
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