Neurotechnology company SyncThink is best known for its ability to detect possible concussion symptoms. Now the company has added tools to its virtual reality applications that help both healthy people improve their dynamic vision and impaired individuals rehabilitate.
SyncThink’s flagship product, Eye-Sync, can detect impairments that can be indicative of a concussion. Sports teams can use this on the sidelines during a game, and learn within a minute whether a player can safely return to action. The eye-tracking technology can detect other issues as well. The Golden State Warriors, for example, have used it to monitor fatigue. SyncThink hopes to aid holistic care with objective diagnostic tools complemented with targeted training.
“What we have seen when we screen athletes is that there is a certain percentage of healthy individuals who have sub-optimal eye tracking for their sport,” said SyncThink’s founder and chief scientific adviser, Dr. Jam Ghajar, in a news release. “Perhaps they have a particular area in their visual field that could be better optimized with focused training, and when we provide that training they are able to quickly improve the quality of their dynamic vision and overall brain performance.
“Recent studies have also suggested that these individuals could be more susceptible to injury, so the key is to screen them early to identify and remedy these deficits, as another step to mitigate risk and optimize performance.”
The Warriors are SyncThink’s highest profile client, but the Pac-12 Conference, Georgia, and Georgia Tech are also partners.
SportTechie Takeaway
One of the most prevalent issues affecting concussion patients is vision impairment, a topic SportTechie previously explored in-depth. Having a tool that can not only perform sideline triage but also can help rehab those symptoms is a tremendous added benefit. Similarly, the practice of vision training has exploded in sports, and this tool can aid athletes seeking to improve skills such as the way they track a speeding ball.