Journal of athletic training
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Predicting Recovery Patterns After Sport-Related Concussion.
Clinicians sometimes treat concussed individuals who have amnesia, loss of consciousness (LOC), a concussion history, or certain symptom types more conservatively, but it is unclear whether recovery patterns differ in individuals with these characteristics. ⋯ Athletes who experienced amnesia had more symptoms and greater deficits in cognition and balance. Symptoms and cognitive or balance deficits were not consistently associated with LOC or concussion history. Acute symptoms had a strong influence on balance scores and, to a lesser extent, on cognition. However, we found no evidence to support more cautious return-to-play decisions for athletes with these characteristics, as group recovery occurred within normal timelines. Our study supports current clinical practice: recommending that athletes be withheld from activity until they are asymptomatic, followed by a graduated return-to-play progression.