When Do Concussion Patients Require Rehab?

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Proven, evidence-based treatments for persistent concussion symptoms include cervical spine treatment, vestibular rehabilitation, psychological interventions, and controlled sub symptom-threshold, submaximal exercise.1 This information is according to the most recent international consensus statement on concussion in sport (also known as the Berlin Consensus Statement),published in April 2017.

 

But, when should a patient be referred for these treatments? And, where should they go?  The Berlin Consensus Statement defines persistent symptoms as those lasting more than 10-14 days in adults, and more than 1 month in children.1 The good news is that recent evidence suggests that starting rehabilitation as early as 10 days after injury may improve recovery time and decrease the risk of developing post concussion syndrome(PCS).3 The trick for success seems to be a multi-faceted treatment approach versus rehabilitation focused on one specific area(for example, only vestibular rehabilitation).

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Another randomized clinical trial published in 2017 looked at concussion patients between ages 10 to 23 years old who experienced symptoms beyond 10 days after injury. These patients were randomized to either receive an individualized and progressive treatment plan consisting of manual therapy of the neck, vestibular rehabilitation, oculomotor and neuromotor retraining, or a subtherapeutic treatment approach consisting of sham, sub-therapeutic, and non-progressive therapeutic techniques. All subjects were seen up to a maximum of 8 visits or until they were fully cleared to return to play by a blinded sport-medicine physician(whichever came first). The progressive treatment group achieved symptom resolution and clearance to resume full sport activities significantly sooner than the sub-therapeutic treatment group. The authors, Renekeretal., concluded that a personalized treatment plan consisting of manual therapy, vestibular rehabilitation, oculomotor and neuromotor retraining delivered to patients while still symptomatic, beginning as early as 10 days after concussion, may be an effective option to shorten recovery time.3

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CONTROLLED, SUB-SYMPTOM THRESHOLD EXERCISE

For more than 10 years, researchers at the University of Buffalo have been studying the effects of utilizing a controlled exercise program to improve persistent PCS. Several trials demonstrate significant reductions in symptoms, meaningful improvements in cerebral blood flow mechanics, and complete return to all pre-injury activities in as little as 6 to 10 weeks over sham therapies (i.e., stretching).4,5,6,7 A recent systematic review found that physical exercise appears to improve symptom scores in patients with concussion.8 Further, a large, Canadian multi-centre study found that initiating physical activity within 7 days post-concussion was associated with a lower risk of
developing persistent symptoms in children.9

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CERVICAL, VESTIBULAR & OCULOMOTOR REHABILITATION

 

In 2014, Schneideretal., published one of the first randomized clinical trials comparing a group receiving a combination of cervical and vestibular rehabilitation versus a group that was given the usual treatment approach (i.e., wait and see until symptoms subside and gradually return to activity).The average age of subjects was 15 years old, and all experienced symptoms beyond 10 days. Both groups received treatment from a physiotherapist at least once per week for 8 weeks. After the 8- week trial,73% of subjects receiving treatment fully recovered and returned to sport compared to only 7% of subjects receiving the usual,wait and see treatment approach.2

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References
1. McCrory P, Meeuwisse W, Dvořák J, Aubry M, Bailes J, Broglio S, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport-the 5th international conference on
concussion in sport held in Berlin, October 2016. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2017.
2. Schneider KJ, Meeuwisse WH, Nettel-Aguirre A, Barlow K, Boyd L, Kang J, et al. Cervicovestibular rehabilitation in sport-related concussion: a randomised
controlled trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 2014; 48(17):1294–8.
3. Reneker JC, Hassen A, Phillips RS, Moughiman MC, Donaldson M, Moughiman J. Feasibility of early physical therapy for dizziness after a sports-related
concussion: A randomized clinical trial. Sc and J Med Sci Sports. 2017.
4. Baker JG, Freitas MS, Leddy JJ, Kozlowski KF, Willer BS. Return to Full Functioning after Graded Exercise Assessment and Progressive Exercise Treatment of
Postconcussion Syndrome. Rehabilitation Research and Practice. 2012; (2):1–7.
5. Leddy JJ, Cox JL, Baker JG, Wack DS, Pendergast DR, Zivadinov R, et al. Exercise Treatment for Postconcussion Syndrome. Journal of Head Trauma
Rehabilitation. 2013; 28(4):241–9.
6. Gagnon I, Grilli L, Friedman D, IversonGL. A pilot study of active rehabilitationforadolescentswho are slow to recoverfromsport- related concussion. Sc and
J Med Sci Sports. 2015; 26(3):299–306.
7. Imhoff S, Fait P, Carrier-Toutant F, Boulard G. Efficiency of an Active Rehabilitation Intervention in a Slow-to-Recover Paediatric Population following Mild
Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Study. Journal of Sports Medicine. 2016; (2):1–11.
8. Lal A, Kolakowsky-HaynerSA,Ghajar J, Balamane M. TheEffect of Physical ExerciseAfter a Concussion: A SystematicReviewand Meta-analysis. The American
Journal of Sports Medicine. 2017.
9. Zemek R, GroolAM,Aglipay M, Momoli F. Relationship of earlyparticipation in physicalactivities to persistentpost-concussive symptoms following acute
paediatric concussion. Br J Sports. 2017.

 

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