Researchers at NYU Langone Medical Center are joining the ResearchKit ride with a brand new app for the iPhone and Apple Watch, designed to help those with concussions better track their symptoms during the critical six weeks following their diagnosis. Those signing-up to participate will be asked to complete three daily tasks: a five-question survey that captures symptoms, including balance issues, blurred vision, and drowsiness; a six-minute walk test; and tasks to measure concentration.

The NYU Langone Concussion Tracker app is not intended to diagnose or treat disease; instead, it aims to catch cases where the initial injury caused a persistent problem that must be addressed. With availability throughout the U.S., researchers hope the app will provide a more in-depth, daily picture of concussion nationwide.

“Concussion is experienced by more than four million Americans each year,” said Laura Balcer, MD, co-director of NYU Langone’s Concussion Center, and co-principal investigator (PI) of the study. “Using new technologies, we can now evaluate a potentially large percentage of this population across the country to gain daily insights about concussion, and employ data in ways we previously could not.”

Those signing-up to participate will be asked to complete a five-question survey that captures symptoms, a six-minute walk test, and tasks to measure concentration.All study participant information will automatically be de-identified and stored in a secure database, where it will be reviewed for research purposes only.

Also part of this study, a separate group of 100 volunteers over the age of 18 will be recruited by NYU Langone’s Concussion Center to come in for six weeks and complete the questionnaire and tasks in person using the app in the presence of a research coordinator. This data will be stored in NYU Langone’s patient EHR system, allowing patients to view their results in their MyChart account. Participants who do not have an iPhone and Apple Watch will receive a borrowed set that is returned at the completion of the study. This part of the study will be led by Dennis A. Cardone, DO, co- PI, and associate professor of orthopedic surgery.

Apple’s ResearchKit enables participants to easily complete tasks or submit surveys right from the app and delivers a simple way to present participants with an interactive informed consent process.