The study included 822 participants, who presented with a sports-related mild TBI (SR-mTBI), and were revered by general practitioners, physiotherapists, or other allied health professionals.
Subjects were excluded if they presented 14 days after injury and if they presented with a non-sports related mTBI. After the initial consultation, they were given the advice of resting for 24-48 hours; after that they should gradually start to increase cognitive and physical activity.
Participants were re-assessed 14 days after their injuries and were then reviewed to be either “clinically recovered” or “still symptomatic.” The tool used to assess their recovery was the SCAT5 – see frame. Subjects were deemed to have fully recovered when their SCAT5 symptom score and symptom severity score were
It was found that on average, the initial consultation took place 8.7 days following the injury. There were no significant differences across age groups in terms of days until assessment. Only 45 percent of all participants had recovered within two weeks following the injury. This increased to 77 percent at four weeks, and to 94 percent at eight weeks.
This study highlights that less than half of those presenting acutely following a SR-mTBI actually recover within two weeks. This rate of recovery is slower than what was commonly stated before.
Outside of sports populations, there is data supporting an even longer recovery time. This study also found that age was not a significant factor in the recovery time either. Therefore it supports a more conservative approach to concussion treatment across all age groups.
> From: Kara et al., Clin J Sport Med 30 (2020) 96-101 . All rights reserved to Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Click here for the online summary.
SCAT5
The SCAT5 is a standardised tool to evaluate concussions. You can find more information about it here.
Expert opinion
This study highlights the importance of a prompt assessment and further quantification of symptoms at the initial assessment and monitoring ongoing symptoms.
It also supports the theory that normal concussion resolution often takes longer than previously thought – this should be taken into account in clinical decision making regarding recovery after concussion and return to sports activities.
