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Semin Speech Lang 2019; 40(01): 027-035
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1676450
Review Article
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Concussions: Activity Avoidance and Rest Recommendation

Russell E. Banks
1   Communicative Sciences and Disorders Department, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
,
Anthony P. Salvatore
2   Department of Communicative Disorders, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Louisiana
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
07 January 2019 (online)

Also available atMedOne
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Abstract

Research surrounding rest recommendations for the concussed population is discussed. Rest is compared with activity avoidance, which is common in several chronic disease and traumatic injury types. The case is made for rest recommendations tailored to each head-injured individual. Research is presented which suggests that activity in the initial stages of concussion recovery may be beneficial in reducing postconcussion symptom duration and severity. Furthermore, a gradual increase in activity may potentially aid in returning to normal daily activity sooner than those who avoid both physical and cognitive activity during the acute stage of a traumatic brain injury. Finally, the current state of rest recommendations is reviewed and anticipated future directions are discussed.

Keywords

concussion - rest recommendation - activity avoidance - concussion rehabilitation - brain injury

Financial Disclosure

The author receives his graduate assistantship from Michigan State University and Dr. Eric Hunter's NIH (NIDCD) grant #1R01DC012315. There are no other known financial disclosures.