Concussion Prevention in Female Soccer Athletes

This study will investigate the effectiveness of this device in high school athletes playing a non-helmeted sport such as soccer. Athletes participating in this study will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: 1) Device wearing during the season or 2) Non-device wearing during the season. This study will focus on the use and effectiveness of the device solely in females, as male football and hockey players have previously been investigated. All participants will be outfitted with an adhesive patch-like accelerometer (which will be placed behind the ear (Xpatch-X2 Biosystems http://www.x2biosystems.com/x2_x_patch/) which will measure the magnitude of every impact to the head sustained by the athlete. Effectiveness of the device will be determined via differences in longitudinal brain imaging and functional testing following competitive soccer participation. A subset of athletes who report a diagnosed concussion will also receive additional brain neuroanatomical and neurophysiological testing within a week following the diagnosed concussive event. At each of these time points participants will also undergo various neurocognitive assessments

Inclusion criteria

• Female
• Normal healthy volunteer
• Able to provide written consent
• Must be 14 years or older and a participant on a high school soccer team

Exclusion criteria

• Unable to provide written consent
• History of neurological deficits, previous cerebral infarction, or severe head trauma as indicated through pre-season screening:
• Medical contraindications to restriction of venous outflow via the internal jugular veins (known increased intracerebral pressure, metabolic acidosis or alkalosis)
• Glaucoma (Narrow Angle or Normal Tension)
• Hydrocephalus
• Recent penetrating brain trauma (within 6 months)
• Known carotid hypersensitivity
• Known increased intracranial pressure
• Central vein thrombosis
• Any known airway obstruction
• Any known seizure disorder