The best treatment for children with concussion is still somewhat unclear. Guidelines exist but many of the recommendations are based on expert opinion, not research. Current guidelines suggest rest until the immediate symptoms resolve (and definitely the day of the injury), followed by a gradual or stepwise return to both physical activity/sports and school as long as there are no symptoms.
In a new study, researchers compared treatment with strict rest — no school, physical activity, or work – for 5 days, with the standard current guidelines. The study showed no benefit to longer, more strict rest. Interestingly, both groups had similar physical activity levels (suggesting lack of compliance with the strict rest), but the strict rest group did have less school than the standard group. So the teens in the strict rest group were active anyway but did not go to school. The strict rest group also reported more symptoms, suggesting an emotional influence from being on strict rest. The study design is not as good as some others, as the teens knew which group they were in, which can influence the results. Who needs how much rest and what kind remains unknown.
Ultimately, this study supports current recommendations of brief rest followed by gradual return to academic and physical activities as long as there are no symptoms.
