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Individuals who have sustained concussions are often told to go on strict rest until all symptoms have resolved. In some cases, children have been subjected to “cocooning” — staying in a dim room without any stimulation for weeks. However, recent evidence suggests that strict rest until the concussed adult or child is asymptomatic has no benefit and might have adverse consequences (NEJM JW Psychiatry Mar 2015 and Pediatrics 2015; 135:213). Indeed, separate from the decision of return to play, a gradual increase in aerobic exercise is effective for symptomatic patients (NEJM JW Psychiatry May 2013 and J Head Trauma Rehabil 2013; 28:241).
To learn more, researchers in a Canadian, prospective, multisite study performed assessments and surveys o…