SwayMo

Neural Nonlinear Dynamics of Postural Sway in Concussion (SwayMo)

Description:

More than 40 million people worldwide suffer a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) each year according to the World Health Organisation. Despite its prevalence in our society, there is a lack of definitive diagnostic tools for mTBIs. In professional sports, such as Rugby where mTBIs are common, concussions are usually detected using head motion data and are then assessed by a health care professional. The health care professional administers a qualitative neuro-cognitive test, which often leads to unsatisfactory results.  

Concussions have a severe impact on postural control and balance instantaneously, and these symptoms can remain for up to 3 to 6 months. Postural sway and dizziness have been studied extensively in the context of neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinsons Disease and Multiple Sclerosis, yet the symptoms are highly understudied for mTBIs. They have been studied even less so from a nonlinear dynamical perspective, so that is precisely what this project intends to do. 

This research proposes a new quantitative criterion to predict the onset and risk of an mTBI, which overcomes many of the challenges faced by previous models. 

Lead Investigator: Anna Donnelly

Funded by:

Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland under the Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship Programme [grant number GOIPG/2026/11746].