The Influence of Prescribed Exercise on Pain Related Fear Following Concussion in Collegiate Athletes

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA · Jan 29, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how different levels of aerobic exercise can affect recovery from a concussion in college athletes. Researchers want to find out if doing light or moderate exercise, like walking on a treadmill, can help reduce feelings of pain-related fear, anxiety, and depression, as well as how quickly athletes feel better after their concussion. Participants will start exercising two days after their concussion diagnosis and will exercise five times a week until they no longer have symptoms.

To participate, you need to be a college athlete who is currently experiencing concussion symptoms. However, if you've had serious brain injuries in the past or certain health conditions that prevent you from exercising, you won't be eligible. Throughout the trial, participants will be randomly assigned to either the light or moderate exercise group, allowing researchers to compare how the level of exercise impacts recovery. This study is important because it could help improve recovery strategies for athletes who suffer concussions.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Collegiate athlete (varsity)
• • Symptomatic at time of exercise prescription
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • If advanced neuroimaging was performed, any subject with a structural abnormality will be excluded
• • History of traumatic brain injury requiring hospitalization
• • Not cleared to play their sport by a physician due to some other injury such as an ankle sprain or muscle strain
• • If individual is diagnosed with any condition that is a contraindication to aerobic exercise. Please note that all participants will have already been cleared to participate in their respective collegiate sport after extensive pre-participation physical examinations upon entering the university.