MASSDEVICE ON CALL — Computerized neurological diagnostics have made their way into sports medicine with increasing frequency, but their efficacy is based on tremulous science, according to a review published by Texas neurologists.
The new review updates and largely reiterates concerns raised in 2005, warning that the "computerized neurocognitive testing" remains largely unvalidated by peer-reviewed studies.
"Limited data has been published since 2005 to assist clinicians in determining the clinical value of this form of testing," lead author and University of Texas at Arlington Brain Injury Laboratory director Dr. Jacob Resch said in prepared remarks. "While these products are an important component of concussion management, their development, marketing and sales seem to have outpaced the evidence. So, some caution is needed."
Researchers called the lack of robust clinical studies "surprising" given the popularity of the devices and attention that sports-based concussions have gotten. The research team was able to find 29 studies conducted since 2005, concluding that the body of findings was inconsistent at best regarding the validity and reliability of concussion tests.
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