Smith MA, McNinch NL, Chaney D, Shauver L, Murray T, Kline P, Lesak A, Franco-MacKendrick L, Scott L, Logan K, Ichesco IK, Liebig C, Congeni J. Reduced Concussion Symptom Burden in Early Adolescent Athletes Using a Head-Neck Cooling Device.
Clin J Sport Med 2024;
34:247-255. [PMID:
38180057 PMCID:
PMC11042520 DOI:
10.1097/jsm.0000000000001198]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether an investigational head-neck cooling device, Pro2cool, can better reduce symptom severity compared with standard postconcussion care in early adolescent athletes after a sports-related concussion.
DESIGN
Prospective, longitudinal, randomized trial design conducted over a 28-day period.
SETTING
Six pediatric medical centers in Ohio and Michigan.
PARTICIPANTS
The study enrolled 167 male and female 12- to 19-year-old athletes who experienced a sports-related concussion within 8 days of study enrollment and registering a Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 5 (SCAT5) composite score >7.
INTERVENTIONS
Pro2cool, an investigational head-neck cooling therapy device, was applied at 2 postinjury time points compared with postconcussion standard of care only.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES
Baseline SCAT5 composite symptom severity scores were determined for all subjects. Sports Concussion Assessment Tool 5 scores for concussed athletes receiving cooling treatment were analyzed across 6 independent postenrollment time points compared with subjects who did not receive cooling therapy and only standard care. Adverse reactions and participate demographics were also compared.
RESULTS
Athletes who received Pro2cool cooling therapy (n = 79) experienced a 14.4% greater reduction in SCAT5 symptom severity scores at the initial visit posttreatment, a 25.5% greater reduction at the 72-hour visit posttreatment, and a 3.4% greater reduction at the 10-day visit compared with subjects receiving only standard care (n = 88). Overall, 36 adverse events (increased blood pressure, decreased pulse, and dizziness) were reported, with 13 events associated with the device, of which 3 were classified as moderate in severity.
CONCLUSIONS
This study demonstrates the efficacy and safety of head and neck cooling for the management of concussion symptoms in adolescent athletes of an age group for which little to no prior data are available.
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