JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Return-to-play (RTP) guidelines for concussion recommend a multimodal approach to assess recovery including symptoms, balance, exertion tolerance, and cognition. However, existing assessments do not reflect the speed or complexity of multidomain skill integration in sport. We developed R2Play, a dynamic multidomain RTP assessment tool, and previously established proof-of-concept by demonstrating alignment with design objectives.

Objective:

(1) Assess the feasibility of R2Play according to a priori criteria for usability, reliability, practicality, and safety; (2) Examine physical exertion levels during R2Play as a preliminary marker of face validity; (3) Understand clinician and youth perspectives on the feasibility, face validity, potential value, and challenges associated with R2Play.

Methods:

A convergent parallel mixed methods design was used. Rehabilitation clinicians were paired with youth cleared to RTP post-concussion to complete R2Play together and provide feedback through individual semi-structured interviews. Feasibility was assessed based on pre-defined criteria for usability (clinician ratings on System Usability Scale, SUS), practicality (assessment duration), reliability (technical issues), and safety (adverse events). Face validity was evaluated with a target of youth achieving ≥80% of age-predicted maximal heart rate (HR) or rating of perceived exertion (RPE) ≥7/10. Interviews explored perspectives on feasibility domains and face validity, analyzed using content analysis. Quantitative and qualitative results were merged via joint display to identify areas of convergence, divergence, and complementarity.

Results:

Participants included 10 youth (ages 13-20 years) with a history of concussion and five clinicians (n= 2 physiotherapists, n= 2 occupational therapists, n= 1 kinesiologist). Success criteria were met or approached for all feasibility domains. Clinician-rated usability was good-to-excellent (SUS= 84.00± 6.02) and youth reported that instructions were easy to learn. There were no catastrophic technical or user errors interrupting assessments. Configuration was completed in 5.74± 1.09 minutes and assessments took 26.50± 6.02 minutes. There were no safety or symptom exacerbation incidents requiring assessment modification or cessation. R2Play elicited vigorous intensity physical exertion (peak HR= 90.10± 5.78% age-predicted maximal, peak RPE= 5.50± 1.72), with target exertion criteria met for 9/10 youth. Clinician and youth feedback confirmed that R2Play reflects key elements of sport across physical, cognitive, and perceptual domains, making it a potentially valuable tool for assessing readiness to RTP and informing rehabilitation treatment planning for unresolved issues. Mixed methods meta-inferences provided enhanced insights regarding how to improve the usability, practicality, safety and face validity of R2Play.

Conclusions:

Findings support the feasibility and face validity of R2Play, a new multidomain assessment tool for youth with concussion, demonstrating excellent usability, vigorous physical exertion demands, and promising feedback regarding its potential to fill gaps in the RTP process. Future work is underway to establish the cross-site feasibility of R2Play and evaluate its content validity by establishing the physical, cognitive, and perceptual loading of assessment levels.