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Increased cognitive activity lengthened concussion symptom duration
Recovery from concussion takes longer with increased cognitive activity, according to recent study findings published in Pediatrics.
“By showing that those engaged in the highest levels of cognitive activity had the longest times to symptom resolution, our study supports the use of cognitive rest and contributes prospective data to the current consensus opinion that limiting extensive cognitive activity reduces duration of concussion symptoms,” the researchers wrote.
William P. Meehan, MD, of the Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention in Waltham, Mass., and colleagues evaluated 335 patients aged 8 to 23 years (mean age, 15 years; 62% male) to determine the relationship between cognitive activity levels on post-concussion symptoms.
Nineteen percent of patients reported a loss of consciousness and 37% reported amnesia at the time of injury. Of all patients, 39% reported one previous concussion and the mean number of previous concussions was 0.76. Ice hockey, football, basketball and soccer were the sports during which concussion occurred most frequently. Forty-three days was the mean duration of symptoms.
Time to symptom resolution was not independently associated with gender, age, loss of consciousness, amnesia and number of previous concussions.
“Extensive cognitive activity level after concussion is associated with longer symptom duration,” the researchers wrote. “These findings support current recommendations for limiting extensive cognitive activity after injury.”
Disclosure: See study for a full list of researchers’ financial disclosures.
