Pediatric Concussion, Cognitive Rest and Position Statements, Practice Parameters, and Clinical Practice Guidelines

There are several organizations that have published statements related to concussion management especially as it relates to cognitive rest. A review of these statements reveals that this issue is more complicated than proposed. Further research is needed to establish (1) the type and severity of concussion symptoms that may benefit from cognitive rest, if any, and the (2) type, degree, and duration of cognitive rest. Parents need to be counseled that definitive recommendations about cognitive rest are not currently based on sufficient research to make specific recommendations for every child with a concussion. This issue has important clinical and medicolegal ramifications to practitioners.