A randomized trial comparing prescribed light exercise to standard management for emergency department patients with acute mild traumatic brain injury.

Abstract

Persistent post-concussion symptoms (PCS) after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion do not occur in the majority of patients sustaining such injuries, but when they do occur, they have significant functional consequences for patients. Delays in return to school, work, recreational, and social activities can deeply impact quality of life and have major long-term negative life consequences that are anything but mild, despite the classification of the initial injury. Predictive abilities to determine which patients will suffer PCS are currently poor, although certain presentation characteristics may be associated, such as age at injury, the occurrence and timing of prior concussions, the mechanism of injury, and others. Research into utilization of various biomarkers as predictive tools is underway but clear answers are still forthcoming.