Race car “game” sheds light on head injuries

A computerized race car “game” developed by Queen’s University medical researchers in partnership with a local software engineering firm can help in the diagnosis of head injuries.

Fraser Saunders, an assistant professor of neurosurgery in the Department of Surgery and Martin ten Hove, associate professor of neuro-ophthalmology in the Department of Ophthalmology have developed the new technology in partnership with Cissec Corporation, an innovative information engineering firm based in Kingston that provides specialized IT solutions to the healthcare and corporate sectors.

Based on test results obtained from established assessment methods, Drs. Saunders and ten Hove will use their innovative technologies to analyze the effects of head injury at their recently opened clinic where they assess patients who may have suffered concussions, and provide recommendations to them for returning to normal activities.

“A variety of tests have been used to establish the diagnosis of concussion including symptoms, balance testing and neurocognitive testing,” explains Dr. Fraser Saunders. “Some concussion clinics use only one or two of these modalities, but that is not optimal.”

The clinic will use a new testing package that incorporates all three approaches to improve the assessment of this condition and provide more useful recommendations.

“Our team was extremely pleased to be able to combine their generational appreciation for computer games with their unique development skills and then apply them to this particularly challenging healthcare project,” remarks Mike Rimmer, CEO of Cissec Corporation.

For more information contact Communications Assistants Alissa Clark, 613 533-6000, ext 77513, alissa.clark@queensu.ca or Molly Kehoe, 13 533-2877, molly.kehoe@queensu,ca, Queen’s News and Media Services.