Time to Rehabilitation in Pediatric Concussion Patients Influences Recovery Outcomes

Targeted and directed rehabilitation with a healthcare provider can be an effective approach in the treatment of concussion, particularly for patients with protracted recovery, high symptom reporting, cervicogenic dysfunction, musculoskeletal involvement, and/or vestibular/oculomotor dysfunction. While many environmental and intrinsic medical history factors may influence concussion recovery, little is known about whether an individual's recovery trajectory can be influenced by the amount of time taken to receive rehabilitation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate recovery trajectories of concussion patients requiring targeted multimodal rehabilitation after a specialty concussion clinic visit within ≤3 days, 4 to 7 days, and >7 days. We also sought to evaluate risk factors for protracted recovery.

The study involved a retrospective chart review of 103 patients (mean age = 13.78 [2.89]; 55% female) who, after their initial specialty concussion clinic visit, received rehabilitation in ≤3 days, 4 to 7 days, and >7 days. Patients were evaluated at a pediatric specialty concussion clinic between April 2021 and December 2023, and diagnosed with concussion by a specialist (primary care sports medicine physician, nurse practitioner, and/or neuropsychologist), referred for rehabilitation via physical therapy services, completed more than one rehabilitation session, and received medical clearance to initiate the return-to-sport protocol. Groups were compared based on relevant clinical factors, Vestibular Ocular Motor Screening, neurocognitive testing (Trails B-A), Post-Concussion Symptom Scale, days from injury to concussion evaluation, days from concussion evaluation to rehabilitation, number of rehabilitation sessions, recovery days after rehabilitation, and total recovery days (ie, days from injury to medical clearance to initiate return-to-sport protocol). Data analysis included chi-square, correlations, 1-way analysis of variance, and general linear regression. Adjusted odds ratios for protracted recovery were derived from a logistic regression model.

Days from injury to concussion evaluation (P < .001), days from concussion evaluation to rehabilitation (P = .006), and Trails B-A (P = .009), were significant predictors of total recovery time among pediatric concussion patients who required multimodal rehabilitation. Risk of protracted recovery increased by 34% each day from injury to concussion evaluation a patient did not receive treatment (Nagelkerke Pseudo R2 = .45; P < .001). Previous studies have also shown that time to concussion evaluation is an important prognostic indicator of recovery. Correspondingly, prompt referral to concussion care and rehabilitation for patients with a need for multimodal rehabilitation can improve recovery outcomes.