Modulating Exercise Dosage to Improve Concussion Recovery: A Randomized Clinical Trial
University of Colorado, Denver
Summary
Aerobic exercise has emerged as an effective treatment to reduce sport-related concussion symptom severity, yet existing work lacks rigor regarding the precise exercise volume and intensity required to elicit therapeutic effects, how exercise can alter concussion-related pathophysiology, and whether exercise can prevent the development of secondary sequelae. Our objective is to examine if a high dose exercise program (higher volume than currently prescribed at an individualized, safe intensity level) initiated within 14 days of concussion results in faster symptom resolution, altered physiological function, or reduced secondary sequalae. Findings from this research will lead to more rigorous and precise rehabilitation guidelines and improved understanding about how exercise affects neurophysiological function among adolescents with concussion.
Description
Concussions are defined as a mild form of traumatic brain injury that result in acute neurological dysfunction. Recent work suggests post-concussion aerobic exercise at an intensity level below symptom exacerbation is safe. Yet, clinical benefits from existing randomized controlled trials indicate substantial room for improvement. Also, there is currently an incomplete understanding of the neurophysiology underlying changes in response to exercise treatment. Identifying the precise exercise dose (volume/intensity) required to elicit a therapeutic response following concussion will lead to enha…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 13–18 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
Inclusion Criteria: * 13-18 years of age * Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) score \>10 to ensure participants are not recovered by enrollment * Concussion diagnosis by a sports medicine physician Exclusion Criteria: * Pre-existing neurological disorders * Exercise contraindications * Concussion \<6 months before enrollment (excluding the current injury)
Interventions
- BehavioralHigh Dose Exercise
The investigators will initially test and randomize adolescents ages 13-18 years old ≤14 days post-concussion to high dose aerobic exercise (\>150 min/week, individualized intensity level) or standard-of-care (symptom limited, self-guided physical activity), and re-test upon symptom resolution and 8-weeks post symptom resolution
Locations (3)
- University of Colorado DenverAurora, Colorado
- Boston Children's HospitalBoston, Massachusetts
- Spaulding Rehabilitation HospitalCambridge, Massachusetts