Treating Persistent Post-concussion Symptoms With Exercise

Summary

The objective of this study is to investigate an aerobic exercise program as a treatment for adults with persistent post-concussive symptoms (PPCS) following mild traumatic brain injury. In this delayed-start trial participants will be initially randomized into either a 6-week low-impact stretching protocol or 12-week aerobic exercise protocol. Following the completion of the stretching protocol participants will continue on to complete the aerobic exercise protocol in full. 56 participants aged 18-65 yrs will be recruited from the Calgary Brain Injury Program (CBIP), including the Early Concussion Education Program at Foothills Medical Centre, Calgary Pain Program, University of Calgary Sports Medicine Centre acute concussion clinic and a physiotherapy clinic (Tower Physio) all of which are located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Participants will complete an online follow up (symptom questionnaires and questions regarding exercise behaviour) 3 and 9 weeks post intervention.

Conditions

• Brain Injuries, Traumatic
• Concussion, Brain
• Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
• Post-Concussion Syndrome

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Aerobic Exercise Protocol

Participants randomized to AEP will be asked to exercise 30 minutes per day or until symptom exacerbation, 5 days per week either at home, outdoors or at a fitness facility of choice. The assigned exercise prescription target will be 70-80% of the maximum HR achieved during the treadmill test. HR monitors will be provided to monitor exercise intensity.

BEHAVIORAL

Stretching Protocol

Participants will follow a stretching protocol for 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. Individuals in the SP group will be given a booklet explaining a low-impact breathing and stretching program developed at the University of Buffalo. All stretches will explained and demonstrated by a member of the study team prior to commencement of the program. Stretches focus on lower extremity muscles. During the protocol HR should be low as to not exceed 50% of age predicted max. A HR monitor will be worn during stretching.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary

  collaborator OTHER

• University of Calgary

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Chantel T Debert, MD MSc FRCPC · University of Calgary

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Max Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-05-24

Primary Completion

2023-02-20

Completion

2023-02-20

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations