mHealth Technology in the Treatment of Post-concussion Symptoms
Post Concussion SyndromePatients with concussion symptoms are asked by their doctors to stretch, exercise, and practice mindfulness daily. Patients can have a hard time sticking to these activities, which can cause patients to feel symptoms for longer than if they stuck to the doctor's suggestions. Many areas of medicine are now using mobile health (mHealth) technology, such as phone applications, to help patients with their treatment plans. No study has looked at the use of phone applications in general population adults with a concussion. This study will look at patient symptoms, quality of life, and satisfaction with care between two groups of patients. Patients will be randomly placed into either the group that gets standard care or the group that will use the smartphone application. The investigators will compare changes in symptoms and quality of life, as well as satisfaction with care, 1 and 3 months after the patient's first visit with their doctor. The investigators hope this study helps to guide the use of mHealth technology in the treatment of post-concussion symptoms.
Evaluation of Two Treatments for Chronic Post Concussion Syndrome
Post Concussion SyndromeHead InjuryThis study is designed to investigate factors that are associated with prolonged recovery from mild head injury. The investigators are particularly interested in defining the impact of anxiety related variables, such as health anxiety and anxiety sensitivity in the maintenance of symptoms. A further goal of the study is the evaluation of two treatment methods that have been proposed to be effective in reducing the impact of post concussion symptoms. The investigators hypothesize that a treatment which is directly focused on changing these anxiety related variables will be more effective than one that does not.
Sildenafil Treatment for Mild TBI
Vascular System InjuriesConcussion2 moreAbout 300,000 people are hospitalized for traumatic brain injury (TBI) each year. After TBI, secondary brain injury escalates due in part to heightened levels of oxidant injury, inflammation, and vascular injury. Traumatic cerebral vascular injury (TCVI) may begin almost immediately after the primary injury and evolve into chronic neurodegenerative conditions. TCVI is a very complex TBI endophenotype and microvascular injuries have been described in a plethora of animal and human TBI studies. These injuries consist of endothelial injury, disruption of the blood brain barrier (BBB), a reduction of capillary density, intravascular microthrombi, and white-matter degeneration. Recently, use of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-Blood Oxygen Level Dependent (BOLD) combined with hypercapnia (high spatial and temporal resolution) by our research group has proven to be more sensitive at measuring alterations of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in TBI subjects. The goal of the proposed research is to test the efficacy of Viagra® (sildenafil) at normalizing CBF and improving cognitive outcomes in people that have experienced a TBI. Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) inhibitor that has previously been administered as a therapy for high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction. In people that have been affected by stroke-induce neurotrauma, sildenafil improved CBF and was found to be neuroprotective. With respect to chronic TBI, previous studies have demonstrated that sildenafil therapy potentiates cardiovascular reactivity (CVR) in areas of the brain with damaged endothelium. In this proposal, the investigators will test the hypothesis that sildenafil treatment in boxers/Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters soon after concussion normalizes CBF, potentiates CVR, reduces post-concussion symptoms, and improves cognition.
Cerebrovascular Reactivity in American Football Players
Traumatic Brain InjuryMild Traumatic Brain Injury1 moreInvestigators will measure cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during the chronic phase after repetitive mild traumatic brain injury (rmTBI) as a biomarker of traumatic cerebrovascular injury (TCVI). We hypothesize that CVR will be decreased in patients with rmTBI and that these decreases will correlate with clinical outcomes. Furthermore, we predict that 5 week administration of a phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, sildenafil citrate, will augment CVR in patients with a history rmTBI.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Effect on Post Concussion Syndrome in Children
Hyperbaric Oxygen TherapyTraumatic Brain Injury1 moreDue its high incidence, mTBI and its consequences of PPCS are a major public health issue. There is no consensus regarding the treatment of PPCS in pediatrics. Relying on its results in adults, HBOT offers a promising new direction of treatment, which targets the basic pathological processes responsible for post-concussion symptoms. The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy in pediatric TBI has never been evaluated. The aim of the current study is to evaluate in a prospective cross-over, randomized study, the effect of HBOT on children with PPCS due to mild TBI.
Mindfulness Intervention in Young Adults With a Concussion History
ConcussionBrain1 moreYoung adults (aged 18-30) with a concussion history (defined as experiencing a concussion within the past five years but not within the past month) will complete a six-week mindfulness intervention. Throughout the intervention, participants will complete 10-20 minutes of mindfulness-focused exercises and meditations each day using the LoveYourBrain Foundation Meditation Library. Before the intervention, participants will complete a baseline assessment including demographics, concussion history, mental health history, mindfulness history, perceived stress, mindfulness, and concussion symptoms. Throughout the intervention, participants will complete weekly assessments measuring adherence and concussion symptoms. After six weeks, participants will complete a final, follow-up assessment with assessments for adherence, acceptability, feasibility, intervention perceptions, perceived stress, mindfulness, and concussion symptoms. This study's aim is to determine the acceptability, feasibility, usability, and effectiveness of a mindfulness intervention in young adults with a concussion history. The investigators hypothesize that participants who participate in the mindfulness intervention will report high adherence (complete five days of meditation per week), positive acceptability, positive feasibility, and positive intervention perceptions. Additionally, after completing the intervention, participants will report decreased perceived stress, increased mindfulness, and decreased concussion symptoms compared to before the intervention.
Pediatric Concussion Assessment of Rest and Exertion
ConcussionsPost-Concussive SymptomsThe goal of this study is to investigate when is the best time to resume physical activity following a head injury. Two treatment plans will be studied; the first treatment plan consists of gradually reintroducing physical activity in the child's routine, starting 72 hours following the head injury. The second treatment plan involves physical and mental rest until the child as no more symptoms. Once symptom free, physical activity is gradually reintroduced in the child's routine.
Bright Light Therapy for Treatment of Sleep Problems Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
ConcussionMild2 moreThe purpose of the research study is to understand the effectiveness of a six-week course of light exposure on cognitive functioning, mood, activity, and sleep in people that have suffered a head injury leading to a concussion.
A Cohort Study Evaluating the Efficacy of PO Magnesium in the Treatment of Acute Traumatic Brain...
Concussion Post SyndromeThe objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of magnesium in symptomatic reduction of mild traumatic brain injury in the adolescent population in the acute setting of injury.
Effects of Osteopathic Treatment on Vestibular Disturbed Active Post Concussed Individual
Post Concussion SyndromeThe proposed study is a randomized clinical trial with the purpose of determining the efficacy of osteopathic treatment on vestibular symptoms of the post concussed vestibular disturbed athlete as determined by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Of secondary interest, this study will evaluate the osteopathic assessment findings of this population and side effects, positive and negative, associated with the osteopathic treatment provided. Primary Hypothesis Osteopathic treatment will have no effect on the symptoms of dizziness of the vestibular disturbed post concussed athlete using the Dizziness Handicap Inventory Osteopathic treatment will have no effect on the balance recovery of the vestibular disturbed post concussed athlete using Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) Secondary Hypothesis To determine the side effects of osteopathic treatment of the vestibular disturbed post concussed athlete