MCH Trauma Program’s Clinical Research: Completed projects in 2011-2012

1. Development and initial impact of a rehabilitation intervention for children and adolescents with atypical recovery following a mild traumatic brain injury

Who were the researchers?

Isabelle Gagnon, Lisa Grilli, Carlo Galli, Debbie Friedman, Grant Iverson, Geneviève Cadoret, Helen Kocilowicz and Bonnie Swaine

What was the research question?

Can we provide a safe and effective rehabilitation treatment for children who are slow to recover after a mild head injury or concussion?

What were we doing?

We used clinical expertise and scientific knowledge to refine and test a multi-level intervention for children and adolescents who failed to recover within the first few weeks after the mild head injury or concussion.

How was this project funded?

This project was funded by a research grant from the Réseau Provincial de Recherche en Réadaptation du Québec (Réseau du Fonds de la Recherche en Santé du Québec).

What are the results?

We found that children with mild traumatic brain injury had more severe post-concussion symptoms than children in the other two groups. However, there was no major balance impairments identified in the children with mTBI, although this is commonly reported in the literature. Injured children’s confidence in their ability to participate in sports after injury increased over time, as they possibly were recovering from the injury. Children themselves reported mitigated success when initially returning to sports and made suggestions as to how professionals could best help them ensuring that this experience is positive.

What does this mean for practice?

The results of this study show that the proposed rehabilitation treatment for children who are slow to recover after a concussion is effective. However, some patients still reported having some headache, fatigue, difficulty falling asleep, and nervousness at the end of the study period, indicating that clinical management of these children should continue to ensure that their return to sports is safe.

2. Returning to physical activities after a MTBI in children and adolescents: the role of balance deficits, post-concussion symptoms and self-efficacy

Who were the researchers?

Isabelle Gagnon, Robert Forget

What was the research question?

We want to know whether we can identify balance and confidence problems in children and adolescents who have sustained a mild traumatic brain injury or concussion.

What were we doing?

We were assessing children with mild traumatic brain injuries and children without head injuries over a one year period to see whether they have problems and when these problems resolved. Children were seen 4 times over the 12 month-period following their injury. At each visit, we evaluated them using various tests focusing on their balance and confidence level when participating in physical activities.

How was this project funded?

This project was funded by a research grant from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the SickKids Foundation.

What are the results?

We found that children with mild traumatic brain injury had more severe post-concussion symptoms than children in the other two groups. However, there was no major balance impairments identified in the children with mTBI, although this is commonly reported in the literature. Injured children’s confidence in their ability to participate in sports after injury increased over time, as they possibly were recovering from the injury. Children themselves reported mitigated success when initially returning to sports and made suggestions as to how professionals could best help them ensuring that this experience is positive.