THE ESSENTIAL
- People who experience persistent concussion symptoms should see a physical therapist as soon as possible.
- Patients who delayed their sessions displayed more persistent deficits related to balance and motor function.
- For researchers, it is important to refer concussion victims to physiotherapy as soon as possible.
Most patients recover naturally from a concussion within 4 weeks. However, 30% of victims have persistent problems. Getting physical therapy and rehabilitation sessions as soon as possible would reduce this risk, according to a new study from Oregon Health & Science University.
Researchers have, in fact, discovered that concussion victims who received therapy late presented more persistent symptoms and disorders, particularly with regard to balance.
Concussion: Balance problems may persist
For this study published in the journal Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journalresearchers had 203 people suffering from a concussion. Some of them started physiotherapy sessions one week after diagnosis while the others had to wait 6 weeks to start the sessions. The balance and symptoms of these two groups were assessed after six weeks of rehabilitation.
Results: patients who started the sessions later presented more persistent deficits. They were related to their reaction time for balance, motor function (or body movements to perform tasks), and use of sensory information (like sight and touch) for balance.
“This means they have balance problems and don’t react as quickly as someone with a normal reaction time.”explains Professor Laurie King, the lead author of the study.
Early rehabilitation helps the brain regain balance
The scientist and her colleagues argue that earlier rehabilitation allows the brain to return to a more normal state of balance. On the other hand, when physiotherapy is delayed, the brain tries to adapt to the injury by compensating through poor use of sensory information. This leads the organ to rely on vision for balance, and no longer on their vestibular system.
“There appears to be a window of opportunity within two months”specifies Laurie King in a press release. “After that delay, the brain compensates in a way that’s not good. If vision is your strategy for maintaining balance and you’re in a dark room, you won’t function very well.”
The specialist adds that patients are not always aware of the problem. “We have people who come to us and tell us they are fine”she says. “Then when we challenge them to turn their head while staring at a fixed point, they say: Wow, that makes me sick.”
For the researchers, their work shows the importance of directing concussion victims as soon as possible towards physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
