Balance and Gait Alternations Observed More than 2 Weeks after Concussion: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Objective To systematically review and quantitatively synthesize the existing evidence of balance and gait alternations lasting more than two weeks following concussion in adults. Design A systematic review was conducted through PubMed, CINAHL, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science. Investigations must include adult participants with at least 1 concussion, were measured over 14 days after injury, and reported balance or gait measures. Balance error scoring system (BESS) scores, center of pressure (COP) sway area and displacement, and gait velocity were extracted for the meta-analysis. Results 22 studies were included. Balance alterations were observed over two weeks after concussion when participants were tested with eyes closed, for longer durations of time, and with nonlinear regulatory statistics. The meta-analysis of COP sway area with no visual feedback indicated that concussed individuals had greater sway area (p

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