Sub-maximal Exercise Prescription in Adolescents With Physiological Post-concussion Disorder
Physiological Post-Concussion Disorder, Post-Concussion Syndrome, Traumatic Brain Injury
About this trial
This is an interventional treatment trial for Physiological Post-Concussion Disorder
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 13-19 years
- Physician diagnosed sports-related concussion, defined according to the 5th International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport (McCrory et al., 2017) as an injury caused by transmission of biomechanical forces to the brain leading to clinical symptoms affecting multiple domains of physical, cognitive, sleep, and neurobehavioral functioning (McCrory et al., 2017);
- persistent symptoms at 10-30 days post-concussion;
- a post-concussion symptom scale score greater than 5 for males and 8 for females (these are above the typically reported values for non-concussed athletes);
- self reported difficulties with exertion and/or a graded aerobic treadmill test demonstrating isolated Physiological Post Concussion Disorder;
- participant and parent/guardian informed consent;
- Participant must be able to reach a heart rate greater than 100 but less than 210 bpm, during and throughout the onset of exercise (to ensure their sub-symptom threshold is still above resting norms);
- Voluntary consent to wear an Actigraph (wGT3X-BT) accelerometer monitor for a minimum of 2 weeks and the provided Polar HR monitor during daily exercise.
Exclusion Criteria:
- clinical evidence of vestibulo-ocular dysfunction (Ellis, et al., 2015; 2017);
- clinical evidence of cervical spine soft tissue injury (Schneider et al., 2014);
- past medical history of International Classification of Diseases-3 beta version migraine headaches;
- undergoing active medical treatment for a psychiatric disorder (e.g. on medication for depression);
- contraindication to exercise testing (traumatic abnormality on neuroimaging studies, co-existing cardiac, respiratory or orthopedic contraindication to exercise testing, pregnancy);
- exercise intolerance reached before 100 bpm, or after 210 bpm (age predicted maximum heart rate) on graded exercise test;
- subjects refusal to wear Actigraph and Polar HR monitor;
- subjects resting HR above 99bpm or blood pressure greater than 144/94.
Sites / Locations
- University of Calgary
- Pan Am Sports Medicine Clinic
Arms of the Study
Arm 1
Arm 2
Experimental
Active Comparator
80% Sub-symptom threshold aerobic exercise
60% Sub-symptom aerobic exercise
The moderate intensity intervention group will exercise at 80% of the maximum symptom free heart rate identified by their most recent graded treadmill test. The target heart rate zone will be within of the heart rate at which they experienced an increase in symptoms. The participants will be instructed to follow a program of moderate intensity activity in the form of their choice, we will recommend the following: stationary cycling, brisk walking, light jogging or the use of any available cardiovascular exercise equipment where they can control and monitor their heart rate wearing both the Actigraph and Polar HR monitor provided.
The light (conservative) intensity intervention group will exercise at 60% of the maximum symptom free heart rate identified by their most recent graded treadmill test. The target heart rate zone will be within of the heart rate at which they experienced an increase in symptoms. The low intensity group will perform their exercise program at their own discrepancy however we will advise either of the following activities: light walking, stationary cycling or the use of any available cardiovascular exercise equipment where they can control and monitor their heart rate while simultaneously wearing both the Actigraph and polar HR monitor.