From the Guidelines
Concussion symptoms can last for 7-10 days in most people, but they can persist for weeks, months, or even longer in some cases, with up to 34% to 44% of patients experiencing symptoms at 3 to 6 months after injury, and between 5% and 20% experiencing symptoms at 12 months after injury 1. The duration of concussion symptoms varies widely among individuals, and several factors can influence the length of time symptoms persist, including the severity of the injury, age, history of previous concussions, and individual health factors.
- Common persistent symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Memory problems
- Sensitivity to light and noise
- Sleep disturbances
- Mood changes Rest is crucial during the initial recovery phase, followed by a gradual return to normal activities as symptoms improve, with a minimum of 5 days to progress through a graded return-to-play protocol to resume full game participation, provided symptoms do not return 1. If symptoms persist beyond two weeks, medical follow-up is recommended as specialized treatment may be needed, and nonpharmacological interventions such as graded physical exercise, vestibular rehabilitation, and psychological treatment may be effective in reducing postconcussive symptoms 1. The optimal timing to initiate an aerobic program after pediatric mTBI has not been established, but early rest (within the first 3 days of injury) may be beneficial, while inactivity beyond this period for most children may worsen their self-reported symptoms 1. The brain needs time to heal from the neurochemical and metabolic changes that happen during a concussion, and some neural pathways may require longer to repair or establish new connections, highlighting the importance of patience and gradual recovery. In terms of specific guidance, health care professionals should counsel patients to return to full activity when they return to premorbid performance if they have remained symptom-free at rest and with increasing levels of physical exertion 1.
From the Research
Concussion Symptoms Duration
- The duration of concussion symptoms can vary, but some studies provide insight into the timeline of specific symptoms.
- Headache is a common symptom of concussion, and according to 2, it can persist for at least 7 days post-concussion in some individuals.
- The study 2 found that 51.4% of participants reported headache at 7 days post-concussion, indicating that headache can be a lingering symptom for many.
- Other symptoms such as dizziness, sleep disturbance, psychiatric symptoms, and cognitive issues can also occur after a concussion, as mentioned in 3.
- The duration of these symptoms is not explicitly stated in the provided studies, but it is clear that concussion symptoms can last for an extended period.
- In terms of recovery time, a study 4 found that patients who started cognitive and physical rest immediately after injury were more likely to recover within 30 days, with an average recovery time of 10.29 days, compared to those who delayed rest.
- However, the optimal duration of rest and rehabilitation is still a topic of debate, and more research is needed to determine the most effective approach, as highlighted in 5.