Abstract
To describe changes in adults with persistent symptoms and disability following a concussion after completing a supervised home exercise vestibular rehabilitation (VR) program combined with aerobic training.
Participants included 14 consecutive individuals referred for VR within the context of a comprehensive concussion center. Outcome measures were administered at initial evaluation, 3 mos, and 6 mos. Outcome measures included: Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire symptom (RPQ-3) and function (RPQ-13) subcategories, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), functional gait assessment (FGA), return to work/study (RTW), and return to activity (RTA).
At 6 months, all clinical outcome measures were found to be statistically significant or approaching statistical significance: RPQ-3 (p<0.001), RPQ-13 (p<0.004), DHI (p<0.001), ABC (p<0.007), FGA (p<0.001). For return to meaningful activity, associations between time of measure and both RTW (p<0.019) and RTA (p<0.001) were found to be statistically significant or approach statistical significance.
Following 6 months of participation in a supervised home exercise VR program with aerobic training, significant improvements were observed in participants' report of concussion-related symptoms, function, and return to meaningful activities.