Concussion: Use Your Noggin, But Only So Much

Parents of adolescents who are recovering from a concussion can help their child recover faster by making sure they follow their doctor’s recommendations to scale back homework and time spent playing video games.

But a complete homework pass may be unnecessary, a new study shows. The study, published in Pediatrics, tracked 335 people ages 8 to 23 who visited a sports concussion clinic between October 2009 and July 2011 after suffering a concussion. 

Researchers found that those who continued to do schoolwork as normal took about 100 days on average to recover from their concussion symptoms. But other adolescents who ranged from a complete cognitive rest to moderate activity, (which included reading less than 10 pages per day and completing less than one total hour of homework, online activity and video games), recovered in 20 to 50 days.

“The study adds support to recommendations from the American Academy of Pediatrics and other groups in favor of academic accommodations that allow cognitive rest for students recovering from concussions, which may speed the recovery process,” a news release from the AAP states.

Although patients should follow their doctor’s recommendations, the study suggests that a complete cognitive rest may be unnecessary.

Whether doing no homework or some homework, but for less than one hour, adolescents in the study recovered from their symptoms in the same amount of time.

Source: American Academy of Pediatrics news release

+ Learn about ImPACT™ Neurocognitive Testing at Bon Secours In Motion Physical Therapy and Sports Performance. ImPACT™ is a computer-based program that tests multiple aspects of brain function. Athletes, especially those involved in contact sports who are susceptible to concussions, should have a test before the season begins, to establish a baseline. If they sustain a head injury, they should be retested. This gives athletic trainers, physicians and other health care professionals a comparison to determine if it is safe for the athlete to return to play.