Women, computer-users at increased risk for prolonged concussion recovery

Researchers identified several factors that contribute to concussion recovery time, according to data presented at the American Academy of Neurology annual meeting.

Teena Shetty, MD, neurologist at Hospital for Special Surgery and assistant professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medical College, and colleagues found that gender, how patients were injured, what sport the patient played and activities during recovery all influenced recovery from concussion.

"The prescribed treatment for a concussion is physical and cognitive test," they wrote in their abstract. "Both physicians and patients struggle with defining the prescription of 'rest' and understanding the consequences of compliance. Few studies have been done to determine the optimal amount and type of prescribed rest necessary to influence recovery."

Shetty and colleagues analyzed survey responses from 97 patients aged 10 to 60 years who had been diagnosed with concussion.

Results showed that females were at increased risk for prolonged concussion recovery (OR = 2.09). Participants who reported experiencing a head-to-head collision (P < .001) or who were hit on their head by a moving object (P < .017) were more likely to have a recovery time of 30 days or more.

In addition, participants who played sports such as field hockey, skiing or volleyball had longer recover times (P = .009) while participants who played football were 97% less likely to have an extended recovery time (P < .001).

The researchers reported several activities that demonstrated statistically significant influence on recovery time, which included listening to talk radio, podcasts or audio books (P = .021), playing computer, phone or video games (P = .045) and using the computer for leisure (P = .027).

“These factors all have a significant impact on concussion recovery time: gender, injury mechanism, sport played, and pastimes during recovery,” Shetty and colleagues concluded. “Females have a more difficult time recovering than males. Simple activities such as using the computer for leisure, listening to audio books, talk radio, or podcasts, or playing video, phone, or computer games may prolong recovery.” – by Chelsea Frajerman Pardes

Reference:

Shetty T, et al. Barriers to recovery from concussion. Presented at: American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting; April 15-21, 2016; Vancouver, British Columbia.

Disclosures: Shetty is on the GE Medical Advisory Board and reports grants from GE-NFL and Abbott. Please see the full abstract for a complete list of all other authors' relevant financial disclosures.