Abstract

The "Q-Collar" is a device designed to mitigate head injuries, particularly in scenarios such as contact sports and military operations where trauma to the head is a significant risk. It operates by exerting an external compressive force on the jugular veins, which effectively increases blood volume within the brain to counteract the "slosh" effect—that is, the movement of the brain within the skull during sudden impacts. The research documented in this literature review investigates the Q-Collar's efficacy by examining various clinical studies, as well as animal models, to understand its role and proven effects on reducing head trauma. This review includes 21 studies that were identified through a literature search using keywords related to "Jugular Vein Compression Collar" in the PUBMED database. The discussion highlights the physiological mechanism behind the Q-Collar's function: by compressing the jugular veins, it reduces the compliance of the cranial cavity, thereby stabilizing the brain and decreasing the risk of traumatic brain injury. The review finds evidence of the Q-Collar's effect in increasing intracranial and intraocular pressures, which suggests a mechanical countermeasure to the destabilizing effects of brain movement after an impact. Moreover, the findings include significant data from studies on high school athletes and special forces personnel, showing that Q-Collar users exhibited fewer microstructural brain alterations, better maintenance of cognitive functions, and fewer changes in white matter integrity than their non-collared counterparts. Preclinical small animal studies similarly present a reduction in inflammatory biomarkers associated with brain injury, indicating the collar's potential in protecting against histopathological changes. Research on the Q-Collar's use following blast exposure in military training shows additional benefits in memory function protection and auditory processing, as well as reduced auditory injury and tympanic membrane rupture, augmenting the case for the collar's protective effects. Finally, the review also touches on a potential application for patients with orthostatic hypotension, given the collar's influence on carotid baroreceptor-induced sympathetic activity. Hence, while the body of evidence under review supports the notion that the Q-Collar may be a valuable adjunct to helmets in the prevention of traumatic brain injuries, the review calls for further, longer-term studies to fully understand the extent of its benefits and potential limitations. The collective findings so far point towards a positive impact of the Q-Collar in scenarios of head trauma, with the device contributing to protective anatomical and functional changes within the brain. However, the nature of these studies—predominantly short-term and focusing on immediate or season-long effects—highlights the need for future research that extends beyond these temporal boundaries.