Exercise Interventions in Patients With Postconcussion Symptoms and Posttraumatic Headache A Randomized Controlled Trial

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating exercise programs for people who have trouble exercising after a mild head injury or concussion. The study compares two ways of guiding exercise: one includes in-person sessions with treadmill testing and face-to-face follow-up, while the other uses telephone-based follow-up only. The goal is to find out which approach helps recovery better after 12 weeks of exercise. Participants will first take a treadmill test to find the exercise intensity that causes symptom worsening. Then, they will do aerobic exercise at 85-90% of that heart rate for 15-20 minutes, 4-5 times a week. One group will have weekly in-person exercise sessions at the hospital during the first three weeks and treadmill tests every three weeks, while the other group will exercise at home with telephone or video call support weekly at first, then less often. During the study, participants complete electronic questionnaires before, after, and 6 months after the exercise program. Researchers will measure exercise tolerance after 3 months and assess symptoms like headache, quality of life, depression, anxiety, fatigue, and adherence to training up to 6 months. The study involves ongoing monitoring and comparison of recovery between the two groups over time.

Exercise in Postconcussion Symptoms and Posttraumatic Headache