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A Multi-Modal Approach to Assessing Recovery in Youth Athletes Following Concussion
Published on: September 25, 2014
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Assessment of a collaborative concussion management strategy in a school-based sport program: Prospective cohort
Pierre Frémont1, Francesco Pepe Esposito2, Edith Castonguay3
1Full Professor in the Department of Rehabilitation at Laval University in Québec, Que. pierre.fremont@fmed.ulaval.ca.
Canadian Family Physician Medecin De Famille Canadien
|March 16, 2022
Summary
A concussion management protocol involving physiotherapists in return-to-play (RTP) decisions showed a very low rate of same-season concussion recurrence (SSR) in high school football players. This indicates effective concussion management regardless of who makes the final RTP decision.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Concussion management in sports requires clear protocols for identification and return-to-play (RTP).
- The role of allied health professionals, such as physiotherapists, in RTP decisions is an area of ongoing research.
- Implementing standardized concussion protocols is crucial for athlete safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a concussion management protocol involving a team physiotherapist in concussion identification and RTP decisions.
- To analyze the impact of physiotherapist involvement on same-season recurrence (SSR) of concussion symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Prospective injury surveillance cohort study in a Canadian school-based football program over 4 years.
- Compared RTP decisions made solely by a team physician versus those involving a team physiotherapist using pre-established criteria.
- Tracked incidence of concussion and SSR following RTP clearance.
Main Results:
- A total of 119 concussions were identified over 4 years.
- The overall rate of same-season recurrence (SSR) of concussion symptoms following return-to-play (RTP) clearance was 0.8%.
- No SSR was observed in the first 3 years; 1 case occurred in year 4.
Conclusions:
- A very low rate of SSR was achieved with the implemented concussion management protocol.
- Physiotherapist involvement in RTP decisions, following a defined protocol, did not increase SSR rates.
- The findings support the integration of physiotherapists into concussion management teams.
