@article{ref1,
title="Cervicovestibular rehabilitation in sport-related concussion: a randomised controlled trial",
journal="British journal of sports medicine",
year="2014",
author="Schneider, Kathryn J. and Meeuwisse, Willem H. and Nettel-Aguirre, Alberto and Barlow, Karen and Boyd, Lara and Kang, Jian and Emery, Carolyn A.",
volume="48",
number="17",
pages="1294-1298",
abstract="BACKGROUND/AIM: Concussion is a common injury in sport. Most individuals recover in 7-10 days but some have persistent symptoms. The objective of this study was to determine if a combination of vestibular rehabilitation and cervical spine physiotherapy decreased the time until medical clearance in individuals with prolonged postconcussion symptoms. <br><br>METHODS: This study was a randomised controlled trial. Consecutive patients with persistent symptoms of dizziness, neck pain and/or headaches following a sport-related concussion (12-30 years, 18 male and 13 female) were randomised to the control or intervention group. Both groups received weekly sessions with a physiotherapist for 8 weeks or until the time of medical clearance. Both groups received postural education, range of motion exercises and cognitive and physical rest until asymptomatic followed by a protocol of graded exertion. The intervention group also received cervical spine and vestibular rehabilitation. The primary outcome of interest was medical clearance to return to sport, which was evaluated by a study sport medicine physician who was blinded to the treatment group. <br><br>RESULTS: In the treatment group, 73% (11/15) of the participants were medically cleared within 8 weeks of initiation of treatment, compared with 7% (1/14) in the control group. Using an intention to treat analysis, individuals in the treatment group were 3.91 (95% CI 1.34 to 11.34) times more likely to be medically cleared by 8 weeks. <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: A combination of cervical and vestibular physiotherapy decreased time to medical clearance to return to sport in youth and young adults with persistent symptoms of dizziness, neck pain and/or headaches following a sport-related concussion. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01860755.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0306-3674",
doi="10.1136/bjsports-2013-093267",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-093267"
}