The Influence of Vestibular Ocular Motor Dysfunction on Neurocognition Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Background: Individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at risk of developing a number of complications, among which vestibular impairments are common. Persistent vestibular ocular motor dysfunction (VOMD) leads to impaired neurocognition and is a prognostic factor for worse symptoms and delayed recovery. Objective: To determine the influence of vestibular ocular motor dysfunction on neurocognition following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Lahore General Hospital. Eighty diagnosed cases of mild traumatic brain injury were recruited based on specific inclusion criteria, including a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 13-15, post-traumatic amnesia of less than 24 hours, loss of consciousness for less than 30 minutes, and a positive Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) Score. Exclusion criteria included patients with open head injuries, fractures, or other medical conditions such as epilepsy and cerebrovascular diseases. Neurocognition was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25, with descriptive statistics calculated for demographic variables and inferential statistics used to examine the relationship between VOMD and neurocognitive impairment. Results: The mean age of the patients was 21.21 ± 2.103 years. Out of the 80 participants, 52 (65%) had impaired neurocognition, while 28 (35%) had normal neurocognition. The MoCA subscales of visuospatial abilities, attention, and abstraction were significantly related to impaired neurocognition. The VOMS subscales, including VOR-Vertical, VOR-Horizontal, and Visual Motion Sensitivity Test, showed significant associations with neurocognitive impairment. Conclusion: The majority of patients with mild traumatic brain injury exhibited poor neurocognition when the vestibular-ocular motor system was compromised. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating comprehensive vestibular therapy in the treatment of mTBI patients to prevent long-term complications and ensure early recovery.