A - 37 Motor Learning Characteristics in Patients With Persistent Post-Concussive Symptoms: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract Purpose Quantifying the relationship between persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) severity and motor learning impairments in a population of concussed patients (civilian and sports-related) through an institutional care pathway. Method This cross-sectional study was set in a University Hospital with a specialized concussion program. PPCS severity was assessed using the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ), a self-report symptom rating scale (total score 64). Two implicit motor learning indexes were computed using the serial reaction time test, a computerized bimanual finger-tapping task using block sequences: the total training-related learning, reflecting both motor and sequence learning and; the sequence-specific learning, reflecting sequence-specific knowledge only. These indices were correlated with RPQ scores using Pearson correlations. Results We included 36 participants (mean ± SD age: 39.0 ± 12.0 years, 24 females, median [IQR] time since injury: 92.0 [132.0] days). Their RPQ scores was 32.0 ± 13.1. Regarding motor learning (dominant hand), the mean total training-related learning index was 11.7 ± 6.9% while the sequence-specific learning index was −10.3 ± 10.1%. There was no significant correlation between RPQ scores and the total training-related learning index (r = −0.03, p = 0.91) while there was a significant correlation between RPQ scores and the sequence-specific learning index (r = 0.61, p = 0.021). Conclusions This preliminary analysis suggests a higher specificity of the sequence-specific learning index over the total training-related on for reflecting PPCS and its associated global information processing impairments. This further contributes to disentangling clinical and subclinical effects of concussion and its impact on specific functions, such as motor learning.