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Sub-Threshold Exercise Treatment for Adolescents With Sports Related Concussion

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Brain Injury
Concussion
Interventions
Other: Sub-Threshold exercise prescription
Other: Structured stretching prescription
Registration Number
NCT02710123
Lead Sponsor
University at Buffalo
Brief Summary

Adolescents with concussion will be randomly assigned to a treatment group where they will receive sub-threshold exercise, or assigned to a placebo group where they will receive structured stretching exercises. Both groups will receive standard medical coverage with regular clinic visits. All participants will record symptoms daily on a dedicated web site. All participants will be evaluated at time 1 with (1) structured physical exam, and (2) structured exercise stress test which is terminated when there is symptom exacerbation. The primary outcome measure is time to recovery where recovery is defined as (1) asymptomatic for two consecutive days, and (2) ability to exercise to exhaustion without exacerbation of symptoms, and (3) confirmed by a physician based on a structured physical exam.

Detailed Description

Adolescents with concussion will be randomly assigned to a treatment group where they will receive sub-threshold exercise, or assigned to a placebo group where they will receive structured stretching exercises. Both groups will receive standard medical coverage with regular clinic visits. All participants will record symptoms daily on a dedicated web site. All participants will be evaluated at time 1 with (1) structured physical exam, and (2) structured exercise stress test which is terminated when there is symptom exacerbation. The primary outcome measure is time to recovery where recovery is defined as (1) asymptomatic for two consecutive days, and (2) ability to exercise to exhaustion without exacerbation of symptoms, and (3) confirmed by a physician based on a structured physical exam.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
103
Inclusion Criteria
  • Adolescent with concussion injury from sports within first 10 days
Exclusion Criteria
  • Evidence of focal neurologic deficit; ADHD; history of moderate or severe TBI; greater than 3 prior concussions (or having history of long recovery from concussion, >3 mths); inability to understand English

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Aerobic ExerciseSub-Threshold exercise prescriptionParticipants will receive an exercise prescription based on their heart rate threshold (HRT) for symptom exacerbation during the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test (BCTT). The script will ask the participant to exercise one a day for 20 minutes at 80% of HRT. Participants will wear a smart watch to monitor their frequency, actual time and HR during exercise. Treatment will continue until participant is fully recovered from their concussion. Intervention: Sub-Threshold exercise prescription
Stretching ExerciseStructured stretching prescriptionParticipants will receive a prescription for stretching exercises that they will be asked to do daily. Participants will wear a smart watch to monitor their frequency, actual time and HR during exercise. Treatment will continue until participant is fully recovered from their concussion. Intervention: Structured stretching exercise prescription.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Time (in days) to recovery2 to 180 days

Time (in days) to recovery (Recovery is asymptomatic+able to exercise to exhaustion without symptom exacerbation+judged recovered by MD with structured physical exam.)

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University at Buffalo

🇺🇸

Buffalo, New York, United States

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