Predicting protracted recovery in concussed male and female high school athletes

Abstract

Returning concussed athletes to participation without proper recovery time increases the risk of delayed recovery as well as possible life-altering injuries such as cerebral edema or second-impact syndrome. The recovery from concussion is a very unique process for each case, especially in younger athletes. The majority of concussed student-athletes are symptom free within 10-14 days, however some recoveries may last longer. The ability to predict Protracted recovery is an important aspect of concussion management since it provides healthcare professionals with a more individualized time-frame for return to play (RTP). This will also allow healthcare professionals to better inform coaches and parents about the student-athlete's possible recovery plan. The Immediate Post-Concussive Assessment Cognitive Test (ImPACT Applications Inc, Pittsburgh, PA), a commonly used and valid concussion assessment tool, has been used to identify student-athletes' with Protracted recovery (>14 days) at 80% sensitivity.