Testing of a New Computer Screen for Patients With Persistent Concussion Symptoms (PCS).

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This study will examine whether a newly designed monitor for computers is better tolerated by concussed patients than the standard computer monitor. The information gathered from this study will contribute to the understanding of the persisting concussion symptoms including computer screen intolerance and photosensitivity, with the aim of helping those with concussions.

Detailed Description
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The study will involve completing a reading task on the standard computer monitor and the newly designed computer monitor. First, participants will be asked to rate their pre-test symptoms using a SCAT-III symptom checklist. Then they will read a short story and watch moving images on one of the devices (standard computer monitor or the newly designed computer monitor) for 30 minutes or until persisting concussion symptoms of moderate severity arise. Then, they will be asked to rate their post-test clinical symptoms using a SCAT-III symptom checklist. On a second visit, 7 to 10 days later, they will do the same activity on the other device. Each visit will take 60 minutes. The study will involve 100 patients with a history of concussion and computer screen intolerance.

Official Title
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Evaluation of a New Computer Screen for Patients With Persisting Concussion Symptoms Including Computer Screen Intolerance.

Conditions
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Post-Concussion Symptoms

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: New computer monitor


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of persisting concussion symptoms (1 month to 5 year since concussion) Must speak English Must provide written consent No alcohol/recreational drug use within 24 hours of intervention No other neurological, psychiatric or ocular conditions Exclusion Criteria: No diagnosis of Persisting Concussion Symptoms Under the age of 18, over the age of 65 Other neurological/psychiatric or ocular conditions Alcohol or recreational drug use within 24 hours of intervention

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years
Maximum Age: 65 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Crossover Assignment
Interventional Model Description: Participants will read a short story and watch moving images for 30 minutes or until any of their persisting concussion symptoms will arise on the standard computer monitor and the newly designed computer monitor in two visits.
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Newly designed computer monitor<br>Participants will read a short story and then watch moving images for 30 minutes or until any of their persisting concussion symptoms arise. The number and severity of symptoms will be assessed by completing SCAT -III pre- and post-study tasks. | Device: New computer monitor<br>* The device to be studied is a newly designed computer monitor and will be compared with the standard computer monitor.<br>|
| Sham Comparator: Standard computer monitor<br>Same participants will read a short story and watch moving images for 30 minutes or until any of their persisting concussion symptoms arise on the standard computer screen.The number and severity of symptoms will be assessed by completing SCAT -III pre- and post-study tasks. | Device: New computer monitor<br>* The device to be studied is a newly designed computer monitor and will be compared with the standard computer monitor.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The investigators believe that patients will subjectively perceive the new monitor to be a more effective reading device than the standard monitor. | SCAT-III Symptoms checklist will be completed before and after study tasks (reading an excerpt and watching a moving image) to measure symptoms number and severity arising after the study task on a standard monitor and compare it to the newly designed monitor. | Two visits 7 to 10 days apart |