Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Training Effects on Postconcussive Symptomology

The Efficacy of an Aerobic Exercise and Cognitive Training Program on Postconcussive Symptomology

The purpose of this study is to compare a 4-week, moderately intensive, lab and home-based aerobic exercise program versus exercise plus cognitive training. Participants will include individuals who experience lingering symptoms of a head injury or concussion.

Eligible participants will engage in 30 minute bouts of aerobic exercise three times per week followed by a 20-minute post-exercise activity. Randomization will place participants into one of three groups: (1) aerobic exercise + cognitive training, (2) aerobic exercise + videos, or (3) waitlist control. Post-exercise activities will be delivered via participants' smartphone device by downloading the appropriate cognitive training platform or online video link.

Baseline and post-intervention assessments will consist of symptom reporting, cognitive measures, and psychosocial questionnaires. Physiological measures including heart rate and blood pressure will be assessed at baseline and at follow-up as well as during each in-lab exercise session. The wait-list control group is asked to complete all baseline and follow-up assessments and resume normal activity during the four weeks. The first week of exercise will take place in a lab-based environment, while weeks 2-4 will take place outside of the lab (participants must have access to exercise equipment at home or local fitness facility).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Must have history of at least one concussion (onset was at age 18 or later)
• Ability to exercise at moderate to vigorous activity levels (defined as 50%-75% of the adjusted age-predicted maximum heart rate)
• Experiencing persistent symptoms (persistent defined as, most days per week for at least 2 weeks since sustaining injury) resulting from concussion or head injury
• Access to a smartphone and willingness to allow research staff to install application (and space to allow for installation)
• Access to a treadmill to complete exercise outside of lab environment
• Willingness to provide proof of concussion or head injury medical diagnosis
• Willingness to provide contact information of individual to confirm persistent symptoms if medical diagnosis is unavailable
• Willingness to be randomized into one of three groups

Exclusion Criteria:

• No history of concussion, head injury, or mild traumatic brain injury
• Experiencing less than 3 persistent symptoms (persistent defined as, most days per week for at least 2 weeks since sustaining injury)
• No access to a smartphone
• No access to a treadmill
• Too active (as defined by regular exercise most days per week for 30+ minutes over the past 3 months)
• Unable or unwilling to comply to lab and home-based exercise prescription
• Unable or unwilling to commit to full length of program
• Incapable of performing moderately intensive aerobic exercise OR sustaining attention to screen for 20 minutes
• Unwilling to be randomized to one of 3 groups
• Unable to commute to and from UIUC campus
• Already involved in regular weekly physical activity or cognitive training program
• Had previously diagnosed mental health condition (e.g., Major Depressive Disorder, Generalized Anxiety Disorder)
• Current involvement in litigation specific to injury