A randomized trial published in the journal of Pediatrics found that a few days of rest, followed by a slow return to activities is better for those suffering from a concussion than extended periods of rest and inactivity.
Experts believed more rest would lead to better results, but they found that those who returned to daily activities after a day or two had fewer symptoms than patients who rested for five days after a concussion.
“More isn’t always better,” said Dr. Christopher Giza, a professor of pediatric neurology at Mattel Children’s Hospital at the University of California, Los Angeles, who was not involved in the research. He added, “There was no advantage to prolonged rest.”
For the study, researchers placed young patients into two groups. All participants had visited the emergency room within a day of suffering a concussion, but none of them had a severe enough concussion to warrant a trip to the hospital. Half were advised to get cognitive and physical rest for no more than 48 hours, while the other half was advised to rest for five days. Participants rated their symptoms every day, and researchers tracked their ability to maintain balance. There was no difference in brain function or balance ability between the two groups.
Dr. Danny Thomas, lead researcher and pediatric emergency medicine doctor at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, said those who rested longer experienced more physical and psychological problems than the short term rest group. Those who rested for an extended period were more likely to cite symptoms of headaches and nausea, and in the long term they were more likely to feel irritable or sad.
Aside from the physical effects, teens who rest for significant periods may fall behind at school or at their job. Dr. Thomas concluded that young people who suffer a concussion should take 24-48 hours of cognitive and physical rest before gradually returning to activities like school, work or physical exercise.
Dr. Silverman comments
Wonderful! We proved again for the umpteenth time that following injury you need a short period of rest, and as the tissues recover, activity is better.
That’s why I tell my patients to spend the first three days elevated in bed after surgical procedures. Surgery itself is an injury. Following that, I let them decide how much activity they can tolerate. When appropriate, I let people bear weight in order to continue to encourage healing and prevent the disease of disuse.
The brain and nervous tissues are just like any other tissue. Surgeons have often remarked that waiting a couple days before performing peripheral nerve repairs such as laceration of nerves on fingers or wrist actually improves healing. There is something referred to as the critical time in all types of injury, especially multi-trauma. It is important to cause no further injury during the first initial hours, but following that, the human body accepts and actually drives and improves from the challenges imposed upon it. In many situations, the body can mend itself if you let it.
Related source: NY Times