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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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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew A. Smith
- Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio
| | - Neil L. McNinch
- Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio
| | - Danielle Chaney
- Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio
| | - Lisa Shauver
- Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio
| | - Tamara Murray
- Department of Sports Medicine, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio
| | - Peyton Kline
- Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio
| | - Alexandria Lesak
- Rebecca D. Considine Research Institute, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio
| | | | - Lora Scott
- Department of Sports Medicine, Dayton Children's Hospital, Dayton Ohio
| | - Kelsey Logan
- Division of Sports Medicine, Cincinnati Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, Ohio; and
| | - Ingrid K. Ichesco
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | | | - Joseph Congeni
- Department of Sports Medicine, Akron Children's Hospital, Akron, Ohio
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Kureshi S, Mendizabal M, Francis J, Djalilian HR. Conservative Management of Acute Sports-Related Concussions: A Narrative Review. Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:289. [PMID: 38338173 PMCID: PMC10855441 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12030289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/09/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This review explores the application of the conservative management model for pain to sports-related concussions (SRCs), framing concussions as a distinct form of pain syndrome with a pathophysiological foundation in central sensitization. Drawing parallels with proven pain management models, we underscore the significance of a proactive approach to concussion management. Recognizing concussions as a pain syndrome allows for the tailoring of interventions in alignment with conservative principles. This review first covers the epidemiology and controversies surrounding prolonged concussion recovery and persistent post-concussion symptoms (PPCS). Next, the pathophysiology of concussions is presented within the central sensitization framework, emphasizing the need for early intervention to mitigate the neuroplastic changes that lead to heightened pain sensitivity. Five components of the central sensitization process specific to concussion injuries are highlighted as targets for conservative interventions in the acute period: peripheral sensitization, cerebral metabolic dysfunction, neuroinflammation, glymphatic system dysfunction, and pain catastrophizing. These proactive interventions are emphasized as pivotal in accelerating concussion recovery and reducing the risk of prolonged symptoms and PPCS, in line with the philosophy of conservative management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohaib Kureshi
- Neurosurgical Medical Clinic, San Diego, CA 92111, USA
- TBI Virtual, San Diego, CA 92111, USA
| | | | | | - Hamid R. Djalilian
- TBI Virtual, San Diego, CA 92111, USA
- Departments of Otolaryngology, Neurological Surgery, and Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
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Walter AE, Bai X, Wilkes J, Neuberger T, Sebastianelli W, Slobounov SM. Selective head cooling in the acute phase of concussive injury: a neuroimaging study. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1272374. [PMID: 37965166 PMCID: PMC10641407 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1272374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Neurovascular decoupling is a common consequence after brain injuries like sports-related concussion. Failure to appropriately match cerebral blood flow (CBF) with increases in metabolic demands of the brain can lead to alterations in neurological function and symptom presentation. Therapeutic hypothermia has been used in medicine for neuroprotection and has been shown to improve outcome. This study aimed to examine the real time effect of selective head cooling on healthy controls and concussed athletes via magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and arterial spin labeling (ASL) measures. Methods 24 participants (12 controls; 12 concussed) underwent study procedures including the Post-Concussion Symptom Severity (PCSS) Rating Form and an MRI cooling protocol (pre-cooling (T1 MPRAGE, ASL, single volume spectroscopy (SVS)); during cooling (ASL, SVS)). Results Results showed general decreases in brain temperature as a function of time for both groups. Repeated measures ANOVA showed a significant main effect of time (F = 7.94, p < 0.001) and group (F = 22.21, p < 0.001) on temperature, but no significant interaction of group and time (F = 1.36, p = 0.237). CBF assessed via ASL was non-significantly lower in concussed individuals at pre-cooling and generalized linear mixed model analyses demonstrated a significant main effect of time for the occipital left ROI (F = 11.29, p = 0.002) and occipital right ROI (F = 13.39, p = 0.001). There was no relationship between any MRI metric and PCSS symptom burden. Discussion These findings suggest the feasibility of MRS thermometry to monitor alterations of brain temperature in concussed athletes and that metabolic responses in response to cooling after concussion may differ from controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexa E. Walter
- Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States
| | - Xiaoxiao Bai
- Social, Life, and Engineering Science Imaging Center, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - James Wilkes
- Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Thomas Neuberger
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, and Social, Life, and Engineering Science Imaging Center, Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Wayne Sebastianelli
- Department of Athletic Medicine, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Department of Orthopaedics, Penn State Health, State College, PA, United States
| | - Semyon M. Slobounov
- Department of Kinesiology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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Wait TJ, Eck AG, Loose T, Drumm A, Kolaczko JG, Stevanovic O, Boublik M. Median Time to Return to Sports After Concussion Is Within 21 Days in 80% of Published Studies. Arthroscopy 2023; 39:887-901. [PMID: 36574536 DOI: 10.1016/j.arthro.2022.11.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To perform a systematic review of the literature and evaluate the return to play (RTP) time frame after a concussion diagnosis. Our secondary purpose was to analyze and compare different prognostic variables affecting concussions, time to return to school, time to symptom resolution of concussive symptoms, and time each patient spent in the RTP protocol. METHODS A PubMed, Scopus, Medline, Embase, and Cochrane Library database literature review was performed in August 2022. The studies needed to report, in days, the length of time a patient/athlete was removed from play due to concussion management. The Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tool was used for risk of bias for each study, and Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies criteria were used for quality assessment. RESULTS There were 65 studies included in the systematic review and a total of 21,966 patients evaluated. The RTP time intervals ranged from 1 to 1,820 days, with 80.7% of the median RTP time frames for each study within 21 days. Preconcussion risk factors for prolonged RTP included female sex, younger age, presence of psychiatric disorders, and history of previous concussion. Postconcussion risk factors included severe symptom scores at initial clinic visit, loss of consciousness, nonelite athletes, and delayed removal from competition. The most common sports resulting in concussion were contact sports, most commonly football and soccer. Median time to return to school was 3 to 23 days. Median time to symptom resolution ranged from 2 to 11 days. Median time in RTP protocol was 1 to 6 days. CONCLUSIONS Median time to return to sports after concussion is within 21 days in 80% of published studies. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV, systematic review of Level I to IV studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trevor J Wait
- University of Colorado - Steadman Hawkins Clinic of Denver, Englewood, Colorado, U.S.A..
| | - Andrew G Eck
- Department of Orthopaedics, UT Health San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, U.S.A
| | - Tyler Loose
- University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, U.S.A
| | - Amelia Drumm
- University of Colorado School of Medicine, Englewood, Colorado, U.S.A
| | - Jensen G Kolaczko
- University of Colorado - Steadman Hawkins Clinic of Denver, Englewood, Colorado, U.S.A
| | - Ognjen Stevanovic
- University of Colorado - Steadman Hawkins Clinic of Denver, Englewood, Colorado, U.S.A
| | - Martin Boublik
- University of Colorado - Steadman Hawkins Clinic of Denver, Englewood, Colorado, U.S.A
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Marklund N. Response to Nordström CH, "Rapid Selective Brain Cooling with PolarCap ®-A Commercial Delusion?" (doi: 10.1089/neu.2022.0456). J Neurotrauma 2023. [PMID: 36641636 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2023.0012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Niklas Marklund
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund, Lund University and Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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Nordström CH. Letter to the Editor: Rapid Selective Brain Cooling with PolarCap ®-A Commercial Delusion? J Neurotrauma 2023. [PMID: 36448587 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2022.0456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Carl-Henrik Nordström
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosurgery, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Science, Neurosurgery, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark
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Al-Husseini A, Fazel Bakhsheshi M, Gard A, Tegner Y, Marklund N. Shorter recovery time in concussed elite ice hockey players by early head-and-neck cooling - a clinical trial. J Neurotrauma 2022. [PMID: 36222612 DOI: 10.1089/neu.2022.0248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A sports-related concussion (SRC) is most commonly sustained in contact sports, and is defined as a mild traumatic brain injury. An exercise-induced elevation of core body temperature is associated with increased brain temperature that may accelerate secondary injury processes following SRC, and exacerbate the brain injury. In a recent pilot study, acute head-neck cooling of 29 concussed ice hockey players resulted in shorter time to return-to-play. Here, we extended the clinical trial to include players of 19 male elite Swedish ice hockey teams over 5 seasons (2016-2021). In the intervention teams, acute head-neck cooling was implemented using a head cap for ≥45 minutes in addition to the standard SRC management used in controls. The primary endpoint was time from SRC until return-to-play (RTP). Sixty-one SRCs were included in the intervention group and 71 SRCs in the control group. The number of previous SRCs was 2 (median and interquartile range (IQR): 1.0 - 2.0) and 1 (IQR 1.0 - 2.0) in the intervention and control groups, respectively; p= 0.293. Median time to initiate head-neck cooling was 10 min (IQR 7-15; range 5-30 min) and median duration of cooling was 45 min (IQR 45-50; range 45-70 min). The median time to RTP was 9 days in the intervention group (IQR 7-13.5 days) and 13 days in the control group (IQR 9-30; p<0.001). The proportion of players out from play for more than the expected recovery time of 14 days was 24.7% in the intervention group, and 43.7% in controls (p<0.05). Study limitations include that a) allocation to cooling or control management was at the discretion of the medical staff of each teams, decided prior to each season, and not by strict randomization, b) no sham cap was used and evaluations could not be performed by blinded assessors and c) it could not be established with certainty that injury severity was similar between groups. While the results should thus be interpreted with caution, early head-neck cooling, with the aim of attenuating cerebral hyperthermia, may reduce post-SRC symptoms and lead to earlier return-to-play in elite ice hockey players.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Al-Husseini
- Lund University, 5193, Department of Clinical Sciences, Neurosurgery, Lund, Sweden;
| | | | - Anna Gard
- Lund University, 5193, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Entregatan 7, Hisshall EA, plan 4, Lund, Lund, Skane, Sweden, 22242;
| | - Yelverton Tegner
- Luleå University of Technology, Division of Medical Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Luleå, Sweden, SE 971 87;
| | - Niklas Marklund
- Lund University, 5193, Clinical Sciences, Neurosurgery, Klinikgatan 17B, Lund, Sweden, 221 85.,Skåne University Hospital Lund, 59564, Neurosurgery, Lund, Sweden, 221 85;
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