Current Understanding of Concussion: Treatment Perspectives

Abstract

Concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) represents a significant portion of sport-related traumatic brain injury. Much research in the past decade has provided the medical community with an increased knowledge base focused on the biological pathophysiology surrounding trauma to the brain. Given this increased knowledge however current clinical standards of care remain unchanged. As a result many groups studying mTBI have called for increased research in the area of treatment for concussion or mTBI. Treatment strategies in mTBI have been researched across many disciplines of brain science. Treatments can be characterized by their pharmaceutical, nutriceutical, and psychological approach to therapeutic intervention. Each intervention should be examined for the treatment it provides and how it relates to structural and functional healing concepts in the acute, subacute, and chronic stages of healing. Using this knowledge, clinicians should be able to determine how these interventions may benefit the individual recovering from concussion. In addition, it may provide a platform for making critical Return to Play activity recommendations so the athlete can return safely to sports participation. The purpose of this chapter on treatment perspectives in the field of sports-related concussion is to provide clinicians and researchers with a summary of interventions across disciplines.