Key points:
- A new study shows a return to “normal” life post-concussion quickens recovery time.
- Activity type matters, though, as school club activities was associated with faster symptom resolution, but significant screen time was not.
- Researchers say the relationship between level of cognitive activity and symptom resolution may be bidirectional, with improving symptoms prompting higher levels of cognitive activity and vice versa.
Previous research on pediatric concussion treatment has been somewhat inconsistent with clinical guidelines recommending complete physical and mental rest, while newer studies have suggested an earlier introduction of physical activity to avoid social isolation. Now, a new study shows that a return to normal life can help recovery—but activity type matters.
“Increased time spent in the classroom, participating in some after-school activities or working a job was associated in our study with faster symptom resolution, especially for participants with lower post-acute symptom scores,” said lead author Jingzhen Ginger Yang, principal investigator in the Center for Injury Research and Policy at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. “However, when activities involved significant screen time—like surfing the internet or playing video/computer games—during the first week post-injury, symptoms resolved more slowly.”
The new study, conducted by experts in Nationwide Children’s Center for Injury Research and Policy, evaluated the intensity and duration of daily cognitive activity reported by adolescents (age 11-17 years) following a concussion, examining the connections between these activities and symptom duration. Participants reported increases in low-intensity cognitive activities—such as listening to music, reading, watching television, and making or receiving phone calls—and total minutes of overall cognitive activities as their symptoms resolved.
The study results, published in British Journal of Sports Medicine, show the average time children returned to school after a concussion was almost 1 week. Symptoms resolved more slowly when returning to school was delayed. Additionally, participating in club activities was associated with faster symptom resolution.
“Having a better understanding of the appropriate ‘dosing’ and timing of introducing cognitive activity is critically needed for our patients,” said co-author James MacDonald, MD, sports medicine physician at Nationwide Children’s. “Increased engagement in the classroom during the first week post-concussion, especially for youth with lower post-concussion symptom scores, can mean symptoms resolve faster and teens get back to normal life.”