From: The Atlantic
By: Brown, N., Mannix, R., O’Brien, M., Gostine, D., Collins, M., Meehan, W.
Pediatrics, Jan. 2014
Overview:
“A new study in the journal Pediatrics shows that cognitive rest is an essential part of recovery after a concussion. Patients who engaged in cognitive activities, such as homework, reading, or screen time on computers and other digital devices could take twice as long to recover after a concussion.
Researchers followed 335 pediatric patients who presented at a Sports Concussion clinic within three weeks of injury in order to measure their average rates of cognitive activity and its impact on concussion recovery. Patients self-reported their cognitive activity and the researchers divided these patients into quartiles (full rest to mild activity, moderate activity, significant activity and full activity).
Patients who engaged in their pre-concussion, full levels of cognitive activity took an average of 100 days to recover from their symptoms. However, patients in the lower three quartiles who took a break from cognitive activities recovered the most quickly, reporting no residual symptoms after 50 days.”
Additional Information:
To read the quoted article from The Atlantic covering the study, please click here: http://www.theatlantic.com/
To read the abstract and to purchase the full journal article from Pediatrics, please click here: http://pediatrics.
