Fundamentals of Concussion

Presented by Anne Mucha and Susan Whitney

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Video Runtime: 78 Minutes, Learning Assessments: 36 Minutes

As many as 3.8 million concussions occur each year in the US due to sports and recreational activity. If one considers concussions from falls and motor vehicle accidents, the numbers are much higher. In this course designed for physical and occupational therapists working with patients following a concussion, the epidemiology, biomechanics, and pathophysiology of the injury are described. Acute management of concussion and indications for imaging are explained with emphasis on sport concussion. The current recommendations regarding return to sports and high-risk activity are discussed. Factors that contribute to a poor prognosis are reviewed to assist you in assessing prognosis and developing a realistic treatment plan. In addition, highlights from the most recent consensus document about concussion in sport and two clinical practice guidelines are provided to update clinicians on the most recent evidence about the care of persons following concussion.

Meet your instructors

Anne Mucha

Anne Mucha is the coordinator of vestibular rehabilitation for the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Sports Medicine Concussion Program and Centers for Rehab Services. She is a board-certified clinical specialist in neurologic physical therapy with advanced certification in vestibular rehabilitation. With more than 20…

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Susan Whitney

Susan L. Whitney received her PhD in motor development/motor learning from the University of Pittsburgh, her professional physical therapy education from Temple University in Philadelphia, and her DPT from MGH Institute of Health Professions. Currently, she is a professor in physical therapy in the School of Health and…

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Chapters & learning objectives

1. The Definition of Concussion: Biomechanics and Epidemiology

This chapter reviews important information related to definition, biomechanics, and epidemiology of concussion. Since many therapists manage concussions not related to sports, considerations for the general as well as sport-related populations are presented.

2. Acute Management of Concussion

Despite much research, diagnosing a concussion is challenging given the lack of a single biomarker. This chapter will review current evidence regarding tools and tests for concussion diagnosis and discuss the management of concussion in the first 48 hours.

3. Prognostic Factors for Recovery Following Concussion

Concussion often results in a multitude of symptoms, deficits in cognitive function, and impairments in the vestibular and visual systems. This chapter will discuss recovery and review the research related to injury-specific, preexisting, and post-injury factors that may influence the course of recovery following concussion.

4. Concussion Clinical Practice Guidelines and Consensus Documents

Research surrounding the evaluation and management of concussion is evolving. Published clinical practice guidelines and consensus documents can help therapists consolidate this evidence to assist with their clinical practice. This chapter will discuss two recent clinical practice guidelines and highlight important take-home points for therapists who work with patients following a concussion.

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