Changes in exertion-related symptoms in adults and youth who have sustained a sport-related concussion.
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2018-12-20
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Abstract
Design: Prospective Case-Series Background: Exertional testing is an important component of a multifaceted assessment following concussion, however, the literature evaluating symptom responses to exertion is limited. Objectives: To identify the primary symptoms responsible for the cessation of exertional testing and evaluate changes in post-concussion symptom scores (PCSS) from pre-exertion scores using the Sport-Concussion Assessment tool (SCAT5) at the following timepoints: immediate post- exertion, 1-4 hours post-exertion, 6-12 hours post-exertion and 20-26 hours post-exertion in both youth and adults who have sustained a sport-related concussion. Methods: Forty-five individuals consisting of both youth and adults (range 13-57 years) that were diagnosed with a sport-related concussion and self-reported difficulties with exertion were recruited from a university sports medicine clinic and performed the BCTT. Results: The most commonly reported symptoms reported for the cessation of exertional testing were headache (48.9%), dizziness (44.4%) and pressure in the head (26.7%). The majority (60%) of participants experienced an increase in symptoms from pre-exertion to immediate post exertion, however, collectively 75.8% of the respondents either improved or returned to pre- exertion symptom scores at the 6-12 hour time period. Conclusion: This study found that there were similar responses to exertion between males and females. The results of this study suggest that individuals who experience an exacerbation of concussion symptoms are likely to regress to pre-exertion scores within the same day. Future research with larger sample sizes would allow researchers to evaluate several covariates and their modifying behavior on symptom responses to exertion.
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Rutschmann, T. D. (2018). Changes in exertion-related symptoms in adults and youth who have sustained a sport-related concussion (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.