Skip to main content

Military Health System

DVBIC eye-tracking tech may help service members with concussions

Image of Soldier sitting in front of a laptop with headphones on. Soldier sitting in front of a laptop with headphones on

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence

An innovative technology, known as the Fusion Brain Assessment System, tracks eye movements in individuals and shows promise as an objective measure to diagnose and manage service members with concussions, and enhance force readiness, according to ongoing studies by researchers from the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center (DVBIC).

Diagnosing a concussion, also known as a mild traumatic brain injury, usually relies on a screening tool, such as the Military Acute Concussion Evaluation (MACE 2), used by the Department of Defense (DOD). These types of tools have a strong subjective element based on patient recall of past traumatic events.

By contrast, the Fusion technology is more objective by assessing eye reaction time that is often slower or more erratic for those who have experienced brain trauma. More than 400,000 active-duty service members have been diagnosed with TBI since 2000, according to figures from DVBIC.

“Through this program of research, we've developed and validated novel methods using eye tracking and measuring electrical brain signals to objectively measure effects of TBI on service members' cognitive, sensory and motor abilities,” said Mark Ettenhofer, a neuropsychologist at DVBIC’s Naval Medical Center San Diego research site in California, and one of the technology’s principal developers. DVBIC is the DOD’s traumatic brain injury center of excellence and a division of the Defense Health Agency Research and Development Directorate.

Ettenhofer and his colleagues tested eye movements to determine whether effects of brain injury among study participants would become more pronounced when performing more intellectually demanding tasks. All participants made eye movements as quickly as possible to look at circular images that appeared on a computer screen. As the tasks became more challenging, those with long-term effects from TBIs had greater difficulties than those without them. When combined with other tools, the eye-tracking system could help improve the accuracy of TBI diagnoses.

In the past, research psychologists have measured how quickly the brain processes visual images primarily by having subjects push a button in response. This requires the brain first to see the image, and then send a message to the finger to push the button.

“There is a lot that can happen between visual recognition of a signal [through images] and the pressing of a button,” said Army Major David Barry, a clinical psychologist and the co-inventor of the eye-tracker. He added, “If you are measuring how long it takes a person to look at something versus how long it takes a person to press a button, the eyes are always going to be faster and a more reliable indicator of neural activity.”

The Fusion technology has been used by TBI researchers at other institutions to assess a wide range of brain function. They have studied how TBI and PTSD affect the brain differently, how veterans’ brains changed over time during rehabilitation, and whether various therapies could improve cognition among military personnel and veterans with TBIs.

The DVBIC team in San Diego plans to further test the eye-tracking technology in a virtual reality setting. Participants would complete military-related tasks, such as walking and shooting, while in an immersive 3-D environment. Simultaneously, their eye movements, accuracy, and brain activities would be measured. Subjects with concussions would be compared to others who had not sustained TBIs to develop an objective measure of recovery. Researchers hope to develop tools that military commanders can use in the field to predict whether a service member is ready to return to duty or requires additional rest.

“Our goal is to use this technology to detect TBI-related problems earlier and more accurately, and to be able to track recovery over time to help injured service members return to duty when they're ready,” Ettenhofer said.

You also may be interested in...

Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) Frequently Asked Questions

Fact Sheet
3/15/2023

This fact sheet provides answers and information to commonly asked questions about chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBICoE Research | TBI Provider Resources

What You Should Know About Concussions Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
2/13/2023

This fact sheet is designed to educate deployed service members about traumatic brain injuries immediately after concussion injury.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Patient and Family Resources | TBI Educators | Be a Brain Warrior: Protect. Treat. Optimize.

Healthy Sleep Following Concussion/mTBI Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
11/16/2022

Getting restful sleep is one of the most important things you can do for your health, and it often takes thoughtful preparation during the day. This fact sheet offers service members and veterans who experience sleep disturbances after a concussion with healthy sleep tips that can likely improve sleep.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Patient and Family Resources | TBI Educators | TBI Provider Resources | Centers of Excellence

Neuroendocrine Dysfunction Following Concussion/Mild TBI Provider Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
9/14/2022

The Neuroendocrine Dysfunction Following Concussion/Mild TBI Provider Fact Sheet, developed by TBICoE, is a one page document that gives primary care managers (PCMs) an overview of neuroendocrine dysfunction (NED) that can occur after concussion, or mild TBI. It highlights conditions with overlapping symptoms, screening and treatment considerations, risk factors, and referral guidance for suspected NED.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Provider Resources

Talking to Your Child about TBI: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans

Fact Sheet
6/8/2022

This TBICoE fact sheet includes age-appropriate strategies adults can use to speak with children about traumatic brain injury—or concussion. It also includes tips on how to help kids cope with changes that impact the family unit.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Patient and Family Resources | TBI Educators

Addressing Family Needs: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans

Fact Sheet
6/8/2022

This TBICoE fact sheet includes ways to build stronger family ties and develop coping strategies for challenges the family may experience after a loved one sustains a concussion—or TBI—such as substance misuse, psychological and emotional trauma, and financial changes.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Patient and Family Resources | TBI Educators

Taking Care of Yourself: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans

Fact Sheet
6/8/2022

This TBICoE fact sheet is directed towards caregivers and provides self-care strategies to avoid caregiver burnout and fatigue when caring for a loved one who has sustained a traumatic brain injury.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Patient and Family Resources | TBI Educators | Psychological Health Center of Excellence

Intimacy and Sexuality Following TBI: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans

Fact Sheet
6/8/2022

This TBICoE fact sheet provides caregivers and those diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury—or concussion— with information for addressing intimacy and sexuality concerns following injury. It includes information on how TBI can affect sexual functioning and behavior, and tips on improving intimacy after a brain injury.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Patient and Family Resources | TBI Educators

Returning Home After TBI: A Guide for Caregivers of Service Members and Veterans

Fact Sheet
6/8/2022

This TBICoE fact sheet shares information and adaptation tips when a loved one diagnosed with a TBI—or concussion—returns home. It includes hot topics such as driving following TBI and ways to avoid a second traumatic brain injury.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Patient and Family Resources | TBI Educators

Help With Ongoing Symptoms Following Concussion/Mild TBI Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
4/28/2021

Although the majority of service members recover from concussion with little to no intervention, some experience symptoms beyond the first three months after their initial injury. This fact sheet addresses why symptoms continue to persist in some patients and how they can cope or seek additional help.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Patient and Family Resources | TBI Educators | TBI Provider Resources

Vision Problems After Concussion Fact Sheet

Fact Sheet
3/30/2021

This TBICoE fact sheet helps patients diagnosed with a concussion/mild TBI understand vision problems and provides insight into treatment options.

Recommended Content:

Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Patient and Family Resources | TBI Provider Resources | Centers of Excellence | | Vision and Hearing Loss Prevention

Heads Up; Sports Safety

Fact Sheet
8/6/2020

This fact sheet provides sports safety tips to prevent or minimize sports-related traumatic brain injury. It also includes the signs and symptoms of TBI, and how to get help if you think you sustained a brain injury.

Recommended Content:

A Head for the Future | Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Educators | TBI Patient and Family Resources | Brain Injury Awareness

Head Check: Know Your Helmet, Bicycle and Motorcycle

Fact Sheet
8/6/2020

A Head for the Future aims to raise awareness about TBI among service members, veterans and their families. This fact sheet provides tips for choosing the right helmet for the right ride, with information about different safety features in helmets for bicycling and riding motorcycles.

Recommended Content:

A Head for the Future | Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Educators | TBI Patient and Family Resources | Brain Injury Awareness

Head Check: Know Your Helmet, Football and Baseball

Fact Sheet
8/6/2020

A Head for the Future aims to raise awareness about TBI among service members, veterans and their families. This fact sheet provides tips for choosing the right helmet for the right sport, with information about different safety features in helmets for football and baseball.

Recommended Content:

A Head for the Future | Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Educators | TBI Patient and Family Resources | Brain Injury Awareness

Cruise with Control

Fact Sheet
8/6/2020

One of the leading causes of military traumatic brain injury is motor vehicle crashes. This fact sheet provides tips on how to stay safe on motorcycles to help prevent TBI while riding. It also includes the signs and symptoms of TBI, and how to get help if you think you sustained a brain injury.

Recommended Content:

A Head for the Future | Traumatic Brain Injury Center of Excellence | TBI Educators | TBI Patient and Family Resources
<< < 1 2 > >> 
Showing results 1 - 15 Page 1 of 2
Refine your search
Last Updated: September 01, 2022
Follow us on Instagram Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Facebook Follow us on Twitter Follow us on YouTube Sign up on GovDelivery