Feasibility of Aerobic Exercise for Recovery From Work-related Concussion

Feasibility of Aerobic Exercise for Recovery From Work-related Concussion

There is a lot of research on how to treat people with sport-related concussion. There has not been a lot of research on the treatment of injured workers with concussion. An exercise program has been developed for people with sport-related concussion. It is suspected that this program may be helpful for injured workers with concussion too. This study will test the effect of this exercise in injured workers with concussion.

Participants who are diagnosed with a concussion and agree to participant in the study will complete a demographics form and other relevant questionnaires. They will then perform a graded exertion test (the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test [BCTT]) at the clinic, this takes approximately 15 minutes. Participants will then be prescribed the individualized THRAE based on the results from the BCTT and will be sent home with a commercial heart rate monitor. Participants will perform exercises at home on their free time 4-5 days per week. Participants will return to the clinic weekly to be re-examined by the study physician and obtain a new heart rate prescription for the first six weeks until clinical recovery or the intervention period ends (6-weeks).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged 18-40
• Received a concussion at work and are engaged with the workers compensation program
• Within 3 weeks of concussive injury

Exclusion Criteria:

• 3-point or less difference between current and pre-injury symptoms as measured by the Post-Concussion Symptom Inventory (PCSI)
• Moderate or severe TBI
• Injury involving loss of consciousness for >30 minutes or post-traumatic amnesia > 24 hours
• Pre-existing conditions or presence of polytrauma that prevent participation in active testing and/or rehabilitation
• History of more than 3 diagnosed concussions
• Active substance abuse/dependence
• Report of injury mechanism occurring due to physical assault
• Unwillingness to perform intervention
• Limited English proficiency.