Early vestibular rehabilitation initiation is associated with faster recovery after sport related concussion

Abstract

Objectives: Vestibular rehabilitation is a recommended treatment after sport related concussion (SRC), but the optimal timing is not fully understood. This research examined the association between the timing of vestibular rehabilitation initiation and recovery time in adolescent patients with SRC.

Design: Retrospective cross-sectional.

Methods: 112 patients with SRC were referred to vestibular rehabilitation at a specialty concussion clinic. Vestibular rehabilitation initiation was defined as days from date of injury to date of first vestibular rehabilitation assessment. Patients were dichotomized by vestibular rehabilitation initiation: EARLY (8-10 days) and LATE (>10 days). Recovery time was defined as days between injury and medical clearance from the clinic.

Results: 60 (average age 15.22 ± 1.61 years; 51.7 % male) patients were in the EARLY group and 52 (average age 15.37 ± 1.31 years, 28.9 % male) patients were in the LATE group. There were more female patients in the LATE group (p = 0.01) and the LATE group had their first clinic visit later than the EARLY group (p < 0.02). The EARLY group had shorter recovery time (median 26, IQR [21, 32.5] days) compared to the LATE group (median 31, IQR [23.5, 52.5] days; p = 0.02). After controlling for confounding variables, the LATE group had recovery times that were 1.39 times as long as the EARLY group (p < 0.01).

Conclusions: For patients with vestibular issues after SRC, early vestibular rehabilitation initiation is associated with faster recovery time after SRC. The current study provides clarity on the optimal timing of vestibular rehabilitation after SRC.

Keywords: Adolescent; Athletes; Physical therapy modalities; Retrospective studies; Sport related concussion; Treatment.