Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if exercise-induced vision dysfunction [reduced performance and/or symptom exacerbation on a post-exercise King-Devick (KD) test] in adolescents early after sport-related concussion was associated with increased risk of persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS, recovery >28 days). We used exercise as a provocative maneuver before the KD test, hypothesizing that concussed adolescents with exercise-induced vision dysfunction would be more likely to develop PPCS.
Design: Secondary analysis of data from a multi-center, randomized clinical trial comparing KD test performance before and after the Buffalo Concussion Treadmill Test in adolescents within 10 days of sport-related concussion who were randomized to aerobic exercise or placebo stretching program.
Background: Sport-related concussion is a public health problem, particularly in adolescents. Quality of life is reduced in adolescents with persistent post-concussive symptoms (symptoms >28 days). We replicated a previous randomised controlled trial to validate the safety, efficacy, and generalisability of, and objective adherence to, prescribed early targeted heart rate subsymptom threshold aerobic exercise compared with placebo-like stretching exercise for adolescent recovery from sport-related concussion and for reducing the risk of persistent post-concussive symptoms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPediatric patients with concussions have different needs than adults throughout the recovery process. Adolescents, in particular, may take longer to recover from concussion than adults. Initially, relative rest from academic and physical activities is recommended for 24 to 48 hours to allow symptoms to abate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBaseline scores on the King-Devick (K-D) Test, Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing (ImPACT), Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 3 (SCAT3), and convergence were evaluated in youth hockey players. Worse K-D times were associated with worse ImPACT visual motor speed and reaction time. Eleven concussed athletes were retested, and there was a trend toward improved ImPACT and K-D times compared to baseline.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF