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Predicting Recovery Patterns After Sport-Related Concussion.
Elizabeth F Teel1, Stephen W Marshall2,3, Viswanathan Shankar4
1Matthew Gfeller Sport-Related Traumatic Brain Injury Research Center, Department of Exercise and Sport Science, and Curriculum in Human Movement Science, Department of Allied Health Sciences, School of Medicine.
Journal of Athletic Training
|April 8, 2017
Summary
Amnesia significantly impacts concussion recovery, causing more severe symptoms and slower progress in athletes. However, loss of consciousness or prior concussion history did not consistently alter recovery timelines, supporting current return-to-play guidelines.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Clinical Research
Background:
- Concussion management often involves conservative approaches for athletes with amnesia, loss of consciousness (LOC), or a history of concussion.
- Previous research has not clearly established whether these specific characteristics influence concussion recovery patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if amnesia, LOC, and concussion history affect acute recovery of symptoms, cognition, and balance after a concussion.
- To determine if acute symptom type influences cognitive and balance recovery.
Main Methods:
- A cohort study involving 8905 collegiate and high school athletes across seven sports.
- Utilized the Graded Symptom Checklist, Standardized Assessment of Concussion, and Balance Error Scoring System.
- Tracked recovery patterns in 375 concussed athletes through multiple assessments up to 90 days post-injury.
Main Results:
- Athletes with amnesia showed significantly greater symptom, cognitive, and balance deficits with slower recovery.
- Two or more prior concussions were linked to poorer balance, but LOC and concussion history generally did not impact recovery.
- All symptom types were associated with greater balance deficits; most athletes recovered within 7-10 days.
Conclusions:
- Amnesia is a key factor in concussion severity and recovery duration.
- Loss of consciousness and concussion history were not consistently associated with altered recovery.
- Findings support current clinical practice of withholding athletes from activity until asymptomatic, followed by a graduated return-to-play protocol.