View clinical trials related to Post-concussion Syndrome.
Filter by:This research is being done to understand the role of different recovery methods in healing time after athletic or sports related concussion.
In about 15% of adult concussion cases, symptoms last longer than 2 weeks and can largely impact the individual's ability to work, be physically active and participate in everyday life. These symptoms are often partially related to unresolved neck muscle tightness and other neck-related symptoms. Dry needling is a technique that uses acupuncture needles to release muscle knots, decrease neck muscle tightness and decrease neck pain. As far as the investigators are aware, there have been no studies looking at the effects of dry needling on symptoms of chronic concussion. This study will compare the effects of dry needling to traditional hands-on physiotherapy treatment of the neck for concussion-related symptoms. Participants with chronic concussion symptoms will receive either dry needling, hands-on manual physiotherapy or both. Concussion symptoms, symptom severity, neck range of motion and pain with pressure over neck muscles will be compared before and after treatment, and the day after treatment. The investigators expect that the greatest improvement in all of these will be seen in the group receiving both interventions, both immediately after treatment and the following day. If dry needling can immediately improve concussion symptoms, patients may better tolerate therapeutic exercise and experience quicker resolution of chronic symptoms.
A concussion occurs when a person receives an impact to the head. The most common persistent symptoms that generate from a concussion are headaches, depression, lack of balance and dizziness. One recommendation to alleviate persistent symptoms of concussion is rest. Research findings indicate that the benefit of rest is inconclusive to help individuals suffering from a concussion return to activities of daily living. One treatment approach in reducing concussion symptoms is physical exercise therapy. Research findings, however, are limited to treatments being administered before the symptoms are considered persistent. Based on this rationale, the aim of this study is to examine the effect of a physical therapy intervention in minimizing persistent symptoms of concussion using measures of cognition and brain function, mental and physical health, and driving performance. If successful, this physical therapy intervention may help treat persistent concussion symptoms, improving the quality of life and ability for individuals to function normally in their daily lives, and resulting in savings to the healthcare system
The objectives are to evaluate impact of Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy on patients with Post-Concussive Syndrome with Rivermead Post Concussion Symptom Questionnaire (RPQ) as a primary outcome, followed by fatigue and mood as second and tertiary outcomes respectively. The investigators will also investigate brain tissue activity and oxygenation by evaluating brain wave activity via non-invasive quantitative electroencephalogram and near infrared spectroscopy testing pre and post study to better understand the metabolic effect of the PEMF intervention. The investigators hypothesize that the PEMF treatment will have an effect on improvement of brain metabolism as measured by Near Infrared Spectroscopy which will in turn assist with improvement of the chronic symptoms of cognitive deficits, mood and fatigue as related to Post-Concussive Syndrome.
The general consensus in sports medicine demonstrates a graduated return to activity protocol for individuals with post-concussion syndrome. This is commonly practiced but there is insufficient literature to indicate evidence-based practice. This study will provide evidence of the effectiveness of the clinical gradual return to exercise protocols beginning after diagnosis of post-concussion syndrome through standardization and measurement of outcomes.