Assessments for quantifying neuromotor functioning after repetitive blast exposure

Abstract

Blast exposure may result in associated head trauma throughout the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) spectrum—ranging from weapon fire resulting in sub-concussive exposure and a mechanotransductive physiologic response to improvised explosive device (IED) detonation resulting in moderate and severe TBI associated with tissue-level disruption. Head trauma—regardless of severity—can result in changes to neurological functioning, which may alter neuromotor performance. Thus, measurement of neuromotor performance has been commonly used as a way to assess and track changes in functioning after head trauma. A number of subjective assessments have been developed over the years to help clinicians and researchers measure changes in neuromotor performance. In recent years, technological advances have led to more portable and cost-effective tools to objectively measure neuromotor performance, reducing the human error associated with subjective assessment. This chapter reviews relevant subjective and objective neuromotor assessments commonly used with populations who have head trauma.