Activity Level During Acute Concussion May Predict Symptom Recovery Within an Active Duty Military Population. Issue 2 (March 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Remigio-Baker, Rosemay A.; Bailie, Jason M.; Gregory, Emma; Cole, Wesley R.; McCulloch, Karen L.; Cecchini, Amy; Stuessi, Keith; Andrews, Taylor R.; Mullins, Lynita; Ettenhofer, Mark L.
• Other Names: Caplan Bruce section editor.; Bogner Jennifer section editor.; Brenner Lisa section editor.; Malec James section editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of head trauma rehabilitation. Volume 35:Issue 2(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-03
• Subjects: activity -- concussion -- confounding by acute symptoms -- interaction by acute symptoms -- mild traumatic brain injury -- military -- Neurobehavioral Symptom Inventory -- service members -- symptom -- symptom recovery; Brain damage -- Patients -- Rehabilitation -- Periodicals; Brain damage -- Periodicals; 617.4810443
• DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000000498
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0885-9701

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To evaluate the impact on symptom resolution of activity acutely following a concussion and the role of acute-phase symptoms on this relationship among active duty service members (SMs). Setting: Three military installations. Participants: Sixty-two SMs aged 18 to 44 years who sustained a concussion within 72 hours of enrollment. Design: Longitudinal design with data collected within 72 hours of injury (baseline, n = 62) and at 1 week ( n = 57), 1 month ( n = 50), 3 months ( n = 41), and 6 months ( n = 40) postinjury. Main Measures: Baseline activity level using a 60-item Activity Questionnaire. Symptom level at baseline and during follow-up using Neurobehavioral Symptoms Inventory. Results: Significant interaction ( Pi < .05) was found, with significant main effects ( P < .05) limited to SMs with elevated baseline symptomatology. Among these participants, greater baseline total activity was significantly related to greater vestibular symptoms at 1, 3, and 6 months (β = .61, .63, and .59, respectively). Significant associations were also found for particular types of baseline activity (eg, physical; vestibular/balance; military-specific) and symptoms at 1, 3, and/or 6 months postinjury. Conclusion: These results provide support for clinical guidance that symptomatic SMs, particularly those with high levels of acute symptoms, may need to avoid excessive activity acutely following concussion.