D2™ and Concussion Management – Return to Play
The combined visual, cognitive and gross motor elements of the D2™ device have the clear potential to make the device a very useful tool in the evaluation of athletes following a concussion. This is in great part due to the gross motor component that the D2™ adds to the current computer screen / mouse click based systems used to evaluate TBI.
The Concussion Project at the University of Cincinnati (UC) uses the D2™ to baseline test athletes in pre-season, so that if they suffer a concussion, their post injury performance can be compared to their baseline – to aid in making a ‘return to play’ decision. The data from this UC study will be a key to better defining and establishing the best role for the D2™ in the management of concussions.
Role of the D2™
The D2™ Visual Motor Training Device is uniquely designed to exercises Peripheral Vision while developing improved Peripheral Awareness. Together, these skills contribute to improve overall Situation Awareness (Game Vision / Court Vision).
The unique, programmable combination of the D2’s™ central “T Scope”, surrounded by 64 peripheral light switches, create a visual, motor, cognitive environment where the user athlete must maintain central vision acuity (visual) while processing (cognitive) and reacting (gross motor) to the input from both their central and peripheral visions.
The D2™ can be easily programmed to increase the visual, motor and cognitive challenges presented to the user. The Device records and reports the user’s performance, tracking improvement and allowing the comparison of performance and improvement between athletes.
In addition, the D2™ can be programmed to add a component of auditory stimuli (crowd noise, street / battle noise, commands, etc.) to further challenge the user to maintain effective peripheral awareness under increasing levels and types of distraction and stress.
We can also conclude that improved Peripheral Awareness may contribute to the athlete having fewer ‘blind side’ hits. Blind-side hits – by definition, do not allow the athlete any time to react to the impact – to ‘cover’ or protect, raising the likelihood of more serious injury.