1146 - Exploring the relationship between the Revised Physical and Neurological Examination of Subtle Signs (PANESS) Total Gaits and Stations Summary Score and self- reported and performance-based assessments of balance in youth

Friday, February 23, 2024

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM EDT

Presenting Author(s)

SR

Sopatip Rerkmoung, MD

Doctor
Kennedy Krieger Institute, Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Co-Author(s)

TB

Tyler Busch, BS

Senior Research Coordinator
Kennedy Krieger Institute
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
AS

Adrian Svingos, PhD, MS

Assistant Professor
Kennedy Krieger Institute/ Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
BS

Beth Slomine, PhD, MS

Professor
Kennedy Krieger Institute/ Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Corresponding Author(s)

SS

Stacy Suskauer, MD

Associate Professor
Kennedy Krieger Institute/ Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Baltimore, Maryland, United States

Objectives: To explore divergent validity of the Physical and Neurological Examination of Subtle Signs Gaits and Stations (PANESS G/S) with performance (Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition balance scale - BOT-2) and self-report (Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale - ABC) measures of balance in youth medically cleared post-mTBI (MC post-mTBI) and never-concussed controls.

Design: Cross-sectional correlational study

Method: Data were obtained from 79 youths (32 MC post-mTBI) ages 10-17 years enrolled in a longitudinal study of subtle motor function. Cross-sectional data were examined from the participant’s first exposure to the performance measures. Between-group differences in PANESS, BOT-2, and ABC were explored. Correlations were explored between demographic variables and balance measures to identify demographic variables to control for through partial correlations to examine relationships of PANESS with BOT-2 and ABC. When significant correlations were identified of BOT-2 or ABC with PANESS, correlations with 3 PANESS G/S factor scores were exploratorily evaluated.

Results: Given no differences between MC post-mTBI and controls on PANESS G/S, BOT-2, or ABC, correlations were examined across the entire cohort of 79 participants. PANESS G/S was correlated with age (r=-.233, p=0.04). Better PANESS G/S performance was associated with better BOT-2 performance (r = -.408, p<em><0.001). Two PANESS G/S factors correlated with BOT-2: dynamic stability (r = -.346, p = 0.002) and underlying motor systems (r = -.418, p<em><0.001) while movement strategies/coordination did not. PANESS G/S and ABC were not correlated (r=.002, p=0.989)

Conclusions: This work adds to the literature characterizing the use of PANESS in adolescents, including those post-mTBI. Correlation between PANESS G/S and BOT-2 balance supports overlapping constructs, with correlations of factor scores providing more information about both convergent and divergent validity. Lack of PANESS G/S correlation with ABC may reflect the lack of balance in concerns in daily life reported by the study population.