Abstract Details

Title The Feasibility of Deploying Custom Mouthguards Capable of Measuring Head Impacts at NCAA Division 1 Schools

Topic Neuro Trauma and Critical Care

Presentation(s) P2 - Poster Session 2 (11:45 AM-12:45 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 14-006

Objective The objective of this study is to understand the feasibility and compliance of deploying mouthguard technology measuring head impacts in NCAA Division 1 football players.

Background Hit-IQ, an Australian-based company, has developed a wearable technology in the form of mouthguards that measures the impact of a hit to the body. The mouthguards are custom made using digital scans and are equipped with two accelerometers inside the guard. The first step in validating the use of this tool for contact athletes is to explore the wearability.

Design/Methods Participants at a single NCAA Division 1 football program were recruited for this study if they were 18 years or older and English speaking. Once consented, participants met with a representative from Hit-IQ who performed oral scans on each player to create the custom guards. Researchers attended practices/games during the Fall 2022 football season to distribute and collect the guards, receive feedback, and address any participant concerns.

Results There were 18 participants included in the study. Of the participants, 12 were offensive players, 4 defense, and 2 special teams. 14 of the participants played in at least one game, and 5 of those players were starters on the team. Mouthguards were deployed at 34 practices, and players wore them an average of 26.94 practices (79% of the time). Mouthguards were deployed at 11 NCAA games and were worn an average of 8.5 games (78% of the time). The main barriers to mouthguard wear included broken mouthguards and athlete injuries where they did not participate in play.

Conclusions Participants at this institution demonstrated high compliance rate with wearing their mouthguard to practices and games. This technology could potentially be implemented on a wider scale and help lead to a clearer understanding of concussive impacts.

Authors/Disclosures
Madison B. Harris, OT (UCLA Health) PRESENTER	Dr. Harris has nothing to disclose.
Joshua Goldman (UCLA)	No disclosure on file
Christopher Giza, MD, FAAN (UCLA, Depts of Pediatrics and Neurosurgery)	Dr. Giza has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Medical Network Speakers Bureau. Dr. Giza has stock in Highmark Interactive. The institution of Dr. Giza has received research support from UCLA: Brain Injury Research Center, Steve Tisch BrainSPORT Program, Easton Clinic for Brain Health. Dr. Giza has received publishing royalties from a publication relating to health care. Dr. Giza has a non-compensated relationship as a Advisory Board with Major League Soccer that is relevant to AAN interests or activities. Dr. Giza has a non-compensated relationship as a Advisory Board with National Basketball Association that is relevant to AAN interests or activities. Dr. Giza has a non-compensated relationship as a Consultant with United States Soccer Federation that is relevant to AAN interests or activities. Dr. Giza has a non-compensated relationship as a Co-founder & Advisor with Symptomwise that is relevant to AAN interests or activities.

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