Concussion and Mild TBI

It has been estimated in the general population that 1.7 million people sustain a concussion annually. It is also estimated that approximately 75% of all traumatic brain injuries (TBI) that occur each year are concussions or other mild forms of TBI. The US CDC Toolkit for Physicians (2007) estimates that between 2 and 3.8 million sports and recreation concussive injuries occur annually in the United States. Concussion management and recovery are focused on symptom management from beginning to end. Common symptoms of concussion have been identified and are tracked as predictors of outcomes and overall prognosis. It is extremely important that care be taken in the early stages of concussion recovery to monitor symptom progression, resolution and variability. Furthermore, the complex interaction between these categories of symptoms creates a challenge for the clinician, as symptom report alone is insufficient to determine the exact system contribution. Symptom reporting does not discriminate between physiologic contributions, cervicogenic symptoms, and vestibular symptoms. The treating provider must engage in specific examination techniques to determine the origin of these diverse symptoms. (Leddy,2014).

Sports related concussion has now been named the most complicated injury in sport medicine as noted at the 5th International Concussion conference in Berlin that publishednew guidelines for management in 2017. They present a challenge to the clinician because there are no absolute tests that are available to identify the concussion. One must rely on a good clinical history from the patient and a collection ofoutcome measures that examine a variety of areas of theinjury. To achieve positive outcomes with this population the clinician needs to be well-versed in all areas that can be impacted after injury and how they all interact in a variety of environments with a changing presentation. Concussion is often studied as a sports-related injury, however, it is an injury that affects all populations and across the lifespan.

This interactive, one-day course is designed to enhance the participant's knowledge and skill set with implementing evidence-based, comprehensive management for individuals with a concussion. It will include a myriad of didactic-based information on the pathophysiology, common impairments,and interventions used with this population. The role of thetherapist in management of this diagnosis will be the primary focus, with inclusion of information on the role of interdisciplinary care. Participants will have the opportunity topractice assessments and interventions during this course with guidance from the instructor. This course will help theclinician be able to develop a clinical decision-makingapproach to the injury to evaluate the symptoms and work to determine the best management and hierarchy of interventions for improved outcomes and recovery. There willbe a hands-on lab to review and practice outcome measures discussed. There will also be a case study review where participants will be able to practice applying these clinical decision-making strategies to determine a treatment plan and overall best management for this population.

*Hands on lab will be modified for Web based delivery formats into recorded demonstrations

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Athletic Trainers

Highlights

• Analyze at least 5 different outcome measures used in concussion management and understand the implications they have on treatment
• Effective assessment and treatment strategies for cervical spine impairments
• Developing practical treatment plans and home exercise plans to improve patient progression and return to sport for athletes
• Hands-on labs for vestibular and oculomotor review to help guide clinical decision making assessments and treatments plus a case study