Aerobic Exercise for Concussion
| Status: | Recruiting |
|---|---|
| Conditions: | Hospital, Neurology, Neurology |
| Therapuetic Areas: | Neurology, Other |
| Healthy: | No |
| Age Range: | 13 - 18 |
| Updated: | 8/10/2018 |
| Start Date: | July 23, 2018 |
| End Date: | December 2020 |
| Contact: | Christina Master, MD |
| Email: | masterc@email.chop.edu |
| Phone: | 215-590-1527 |
Sub-Symptom Aerobic Exercise Therapy to Improve Recovery From Acute Sport-Related Concussion: A Randomized Controlled Trial
The use of aerobic exercise treatment in the chronic phase of concussion recovery is
well-described in the literature but there are limited existing data on the effect of
exercise treatment in the acute phase after sport-related concussion (SRC). This study will
compare the outcomes of adolescents with a recent SRC who are randomized to sub-threshold
aerobic exercise versus those randomized to placebo stretching to evaluate the effect of
aerobic exercise in the acute recovery phase.
well-described in the literature but there are limited existing data on the effect of
exercise treatment in the acute phase after sport-related concussion (SRC). This study will
compare the outcomes of adolescents with a recent SRC who are randomized to sub-threshold
aerobic exercise versus those randomized to placebo stretching to evaluate the effect of
aerobic exercise in the acute recovery phase.
Historically, concussion has been described as a cognitive injury and patients have been
advised not to engage in any cognitive or physical exertion while symptomatic. More recently,
however, concussion has been described as a physiological injury affecting both the heart and
autonomic nervous system, and patients suffering from prolonged concussion-related symptoms
and deficits have been encouraged to begin aerobic exercise as part of their concussion care.
While intensive exercise too soon after concussion has been associated with delayed recovery
and used to justify prolonged periods of rest, recent studies have shown that controlled,
sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise may aid recovery by improving autonomic balance and
cerebral blood flow auto-regulation after concussion. This study will randomly assign
pediatric patients with concussion to a treatment group in which they will complete
sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise or to a placebo group in which they will complete a
standardized stretching protocol. All participants will have routine visits that consist of a
physical examination and exercise test until the intervention ends at recovery or 1-month
post-randomization.
advised not to engage in any cognitive or physical exertion while symptomatic. More recently,
however, concussion has been described as a physiological injury affecting both the heart and
autonomic nervous system, and patients suffering from prolonged concussion-related symptoms
and deficits have been encouraged to begin aerobic exercise as part of their concussion care.
While intensive exercise too soon after concussion has been associated with delayed recovery
and used to justify prolonged periods of rest, recent studies have shown that controlled,
sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise may aid recovery by improving autonomic balance and
cerebral blood flow auto-regulation after concussion. This study will randomly assign
pediatric patients with concussion to a treatment group in which they will complete
sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise or to a placebo group in which they will complete a
standardized stretching protocol. All participants will have routine visits that consist of a
physical examination and exercise test until the intervention ends at recovery or 1-month
post-randomization.
Inclusion Criteria:
- SRC 2-10 days prior to initial assessment.
- Symptom score of ≥3 new symptoms on the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI).
- Injury that involved at least a brief alteration in mental status and at least three
acute new signs/symptoms.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Evidence of moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Inability to exercise because of lower-extremity orthopedic injury, significant
vestibular or visual dysfunction, or increased cardiac risk.
- Pre-existing comorbidities, such as chronic pain and cardiac, neurological, or
autoimmune conditions, that prevent participation in active testing and/or
rehabilitation.
- Physician diagnosis of major depression or autism.
- Active substance abuse/dependence.
- ßeta- or calcium-blocker use.
- Unwillingness to exercise.
- Inability to speak English.
We found this trial at
3
sites
South 34th Street
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104
215-590-1000
Phone: 215-590-1527
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Since its start in 1855 as the nation's first hospital devoted...
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Boston Children's Hospital Boston Children's Hospital is a 395-bed comprehensive center for pediatric health care....
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