Final Cat 2
Final Cat 2
Focused Question:
What is the role of Occupational Therapy in the treatment of a sports related concussion?
Clinical Scenario:
According to Mayo Clinic (2017), a concussion is a traumatic brain injury that affects your brain
function. They report that the effects are usually temporary but can include headaches and
problems with concentration, memory, balance and coordination. They also state that
concussions are usually caused by a blow to the head and they report that violently shaking the
The American Association of Neurological Surgeons [AANS] (2018), states that more
than 300,000 sports-related concussions occur annually in the U.S. and the likelihood of
suffering a concussion while playing a contact sport is estimated to be as high as 19 percent per
year of play. They further state that more than 62,000 concussions are sustained each year in high
school contact sports and among college football players, 34 percent have had one concussion
and 20 percent have endured multiple concussions. According to Brain Line (2018), sports and
recreation-related concussions are the leading cause of TBI-related emergency department visits
among children and teens. “Most people completely recover from their concussions, but it may
take months for the symptoms to disappear” (Health Line, 2018). This research is to determine
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Improve Post-Concussion Syndrome Years after Mild
Traumatic Brain Injury- Randomized Prospective Trial; Boussi-Gosse, Golan, Fishlev,
Bechor, Bolkov, Volkob and Bergan (2013)
This randomized, controlled, two group trial was to evaluate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen
therapy on the brain and cognitive impairments for those who experienced prolonged symptoms
of post-concussion syndrome. This study included 56 individuals 18 and older who had all
signed a consent form and were placed into an experimental or crossover group. The patients in
the crossover group were evaluated three times, at baseline, after two months of no treatment and
then again at two months of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, HBOT. The patients in the
experimental group were evaluated twice, once at baseline and then again after two months of
HBOT. There were significant improvements in the treated group and the crossover group after
HBOT in the cognitive tests. The results of this study inform us that hyperbaric oxygen therapy
may induce neuroplasticity and improve overall brain function for those with concussions or
mild traumatic brain injuries that present with post-concussion syndrome at a later age or even
The authors reviewed 17 articles on hospital to school interventions for children with Acquired
Brain Injury (ABI). Six of the studies were classified as level 1, three of the interventions were
group-based, and the others were one on one. The sample sizes in the studies varied from
between 2-72 participants. The majority of the individuals had severe ABI’s and two of the
articles had children with brain tumors. The interventions used were arts-based activities,
problem solving activities, clinician-led information sessions, cognitive and behavioral therapy,
delivering social skills in a hospital based classroom to youth ages 13-16 with moderate to severe
ABI. There were 20 group sessions lastly roughly four hours each, four days a week. They
worked on voice work, movement, physical warm up, breathing, writing skills, etc. The clinician
led injury information sessions completed over the course of a month, were given at participant’s
homes, was targeted for youth ages 9-16 years old with severe ABI’s. The clinicians helped the
individuals create a timeline on their accident. Family supported intervention was implemented
in the homes to children ages 5-12 years of age with severe ABI’s. Occupational therapists used
problem solving skills to ages 8-18 that helped with ABI’s and brain tumors. It was given
through 14 group sessions that lasted 3 hours each. Cognitive rehabilitation was given at home to
ages 7-19 that focused on working on memory, attention, and exercises to assist in patient’s
performances. Two of the studies had significant improvements in knowledge on ABI’s, seven
in social functioning such as interpersonal negotiation strategies, problem solving and social
contacts. Two studies reported significant improvements in behavior and three studies had
rehabilitation I the best option for students with mild, moderate and severe ABI. Interventions
that significantly improved youth’s and educator’s knowledge of ABI were delivered in a one on
one setting. Interventions that improved cognitive functioning commonly took place in the home,
were delivered one on one, had homework and were performed 7 weeks to a year. Interventions
that had a very big impact on social functioning took place at school or online at home, these
ranged from 7-16 weeks. Finally, interventions that affected psychological functioning were
delivered in a variety of settings, one on one, had parent/sibling involvement and ranged from
10-24 weeks.
Level II:
Occupational Therapy Outcomes for Clients with Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke
Using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure; Phipps and Richardson (2007)
This retrospective study consisted of 155 adult participants between the ages of 19 and 82 who
participated in outpatient OT. Approximately 38 of the individuals involved had a traumatic brain
injury, 117 of the participants were diagnosed with a cerebrovascular accident. The mild
traumatic brain injury group (TBI) approximately 20 years younger reported their primary
occupational roles as being worker, student and player. The focus of this study was to examine
whether people who experience outpatient services of OT with mild traumatic brain injuries and
in activities of daily life by using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM).
The data was collected through an outpatient therapy clinic at a rehab center. The clients received
two 45-90 minute sessions of therapy per week for 4-12 weeks. The duration and frequency
depended on the goals of the client and the severity of their neurological disorder. Some of the
participants received speech and physical therapy services as well. This program was focused on
treatment goals each client made using the COPM. There was a total of 901 occupational therapy
performance goals that were analyzed. The mean change was 3.29 points in performance from
admission to discharge and a mean change in satisfaction from admission of 3.53 points across
all groups. Some studies show that a change of 2 or more points on the COPM typically
represent at least .75 of a standard deviation which is considered a large change of importance.
All changes in this study were well over 2 points, ranging from 2.85-4.07 points. There were
significant differences (p < .001) for all groups between the pre- and post-intervention scores of
the entire group. There were no significant differences between the pre- and post-intervention
scores for performance between the diagnostic groups (p=.08). But there was a significant
difference between the pre- and post-intervention scores between satisfaction of the right to the
left CVA group (p = .03). The right CVA group had an increase in satisfaction compared to the
left CVA group. The greatest number of goals identified were involving occupational
performance in self-care and home management. Each diagnostic group showed a significant
Level III:
This study consisted of a 6-month home exercise program for adults that experienced persistent
symptoms and any other disabilities following a concussion. This aimed to investigate changes
over time in adults that had experienced a concussion. There were 14 individuals involved in the
study, these individuals participated in a home exercise program which focused on vestibular
rehabilitation along with aerobic training. Each session was approximately 45 minutes; the three
exercises completed were to address vestibular rehabilitation that included gaze stabilization,
sensory organization and gait. Another intervention utilized was aerobic exercise training, 9 of
the individuals received vision therapy, the other 5 received psychology services, orthopedic
physical therapy, and cognitive behavioral therapy. There were significant improvements after
using the 6-month home exercise vestibular program for concussion related symptoms, function
and return to meaningful activities. There was no association found between age group and
return to work, or age group and return to meaningful activities at any time during the 6-month
period.
Sport Concussion Management Using Facebook: A Feasibility Study of an Innovative
Adjunct iCon; Ahmed and McCrory (2017)
This observational study was performed on eleven individuals over a 3-month period. This
program was conducted over a 90-day time period which was a requirement for iCon to be given
during the winter sports season for those who experienced concussions. Each participant had to
complete a pre-intervention interview over the phone to collect important information and data.
The Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT2) was used to measure the severity of symptoms.
The post-intervention interview was completed a week after completing iCon. ICon included
important information on concussions, websites to look through, videos to watch, daily posts and
polls for the participants to answer. Results of this study found that all 11 participants would
recommend iCon to others who are experiencing a concussion. They also stated that their
decisions to return to play (RTP) were influenced by iCon. There was a reduction of symptoms
for the individuals who used this program and all quotes taken by the participants at the end
Level IV:
This study consisted of 24 individuals between the ages of 14-26 years old who were in middle
school, high school or attending college that participated in sports that experienced persistent
cognitive and somatic symptoms from a concussion. This study examined a wide variety of
treatment options speech pathologists used and the rationale for each option. The study also
examined if the individuals needed any accommodations in school after a concussion had been
diagnosed. The treatments used in this study were direct education training (DAT), metacognitive
strategy instructions (MSI), training assistive technology for cognition (ATC), and
patients received DAT, 9 patients received MSI, 5 patients received ATC and all 24 patients
functional goals. The research was focused on returning to play and educational accommodations
in the first weeks after a concussion. The results of this study showed that speech language
pathologists delivered interventions that lead to positive outcomes. Outcomes were measured by
assessment of whether they met their expected level of improvement on the goals they selected
within their functional goal domain. The treatment with the best outcomes were in the DAT
This study consisted of survey questionnaires that were sent out to occupational therapists who
work with mild traumatic brain injuries and concussions. The focus of this study was to
determine the role occupational therapists play on a day to day basis with the two injuries. There
were 28 questionnaires that were sent out and all 28 were returned but only 26 were usable as
one came back blank and the other was from a community-based occupational therapist, of the
majority 93%, were occupational therapists who worked in an acute care setting. Approximately
20-30% of the individuals that, the therapists saw had mild traumatic brain injury and/or
concussions. The survey showed that occupational therapists play an important and significant
role in the assessment and management of acute cognitive deficits and concussion symptoms
from post-mild traumatic brain injuries in acute care settings. The average length of stay for the
patients was more than 24 hours but less than 48 hours. Length of stay in the orthopedic ward
increased up to 6 days and 3 days in the surgical ward. There are full time occupational therapist
Level V:
This case report was performed on a male in basketball who had been diagnosed with a
concussion. Seth was having concussion related symptoms 28 days after his concussion, this had
started to affect his progress and sustained attention in school. It was focused on evaluating the
diagnosis, identifying psychosocial interventions used to help enhance those with mental health
referrals and to recognize any other health professionals that need to be in the process of
returning to the basketball court after suffering from a concussion. Psychosocial interventions
used to treat post-concussion syndrome include cognitive behavioral therapy, patient education,
relaxation strategies, sleep monitoring, aerobic exercise and submaximal aerobic exercise. A few
of these interventions were used with Seth to help treat the psychosocial symptoms he was
exhibiting. Cognitive behavioral therapy was effective for individuals who experienced post-
concussion syndrome and was very beneficial if it is started right away. Cognitive behavioral
therapy is important in the recovery process which tries to limit negative thinking and helps you
become more aware of irrational thoughts by viewing the situation more differently. The
cognitive behavioral therapy showed a decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms. Seth’s
psychological care consisted of cognitive behavioral therapy, mental relaxation strategies such as
deep breathing independently at home and proper sleep. Patient education was important as the
client’s academic routine was disrupted due to his concussion. Seth was educated on post-
concussion syndrome, how long the symptoms persist and how much cognitive activity he
should be engaging in. Patient education lowers anxiety, reduces stress and improves sleep
among the individuals. Relaxation strategies and mental skills were ways of reducing the
incidence and duration of symptoms. Relaxation strategies reduce symptoms that may increase
stress. Sleep monitoring is important to track sleeping patterns by using a diary, using a Fitbit,
and getting enough rest. Rest includes taking a break from physical activities, technology use and
texting time. A counselor, psychologists and psychiatrist should also be involved to ensure the
best care possible for the individual. The psychosocial functioning was improved overall to those
who experience mental health related difficulties while experiencing post-concussion syndrome.
Occupational Therapy for Service Members with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury;
Randomski and Davidson (2009)
This article summarizes recommendations that occupational therapy professionals can utilize for
service members with mild traumatic brain injury. There are many different assessments and
interventions in the rehabilitation and reintegration efforts of service members to improve their
physical, emotional and social well-being after being diagnosed with a mild Traumatic Brain
Injury. Interventions discussed in this article included client education, vision and cognition
tools. A standardized evaluation for vision is the Brain Injury Visual Assessment Battery for
Adults and the Northern State University College of Optometry Test. Vision interventions
include exercises to strengthen ocular muscles and improve convergence, engaging in activities
that require gross motor movements and identifying visual targets. Evaluations used for self-
awareness include the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory and the Self-Awareness of Deficit
stimulated work tasks. Evaluations used for cognition include COGNITISTAT, Contextual
Memory Test, Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test and Test of Everyday Attention. There are
many strategies available for occupational therapy interventions that may be used but should be
looked over by an optometrist for an evaluation of ocular health and functions. Occupational
therapists can give low vision and visual perceptual screens. It is important for the occupational
therapist to note any strange behaviors or squinting, overreaching or dizziness when ambulating
or changing positions.
The purpose of this research was to determine the role of occupational therapy in the
knowledgeable about Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy as Boussi-Gross, Golan, Fishlev and Bechor
(2013), found that it can induce neuroplasticity which leads to the repair of impaired brain
functions. It is also important that occupational therapy professionals are aware of the
importance of cognitive and physical rest as noted by Sohlberg and Ledbetter (2016). Hamson-
Utely (2017), found that psychological factors play a significant role following sports related-
concussions. He noted that the care of athletes following a concussion includes cognitive
behavioral therapy, proper patient education, relaxation strategies and sleep monitoring to be
proper interventions used for those experiencing psychological symptoms following a sports-
related concussion. Lindsay et. al. (2015), found that hospital to school reintegration used
information sessions, cognitive and behavioral therapies, family/social support groups and multi-
component interventions which are all areas occupational therapy specializes in.
According to Radomski, Davison, Voydetich & Erickson (2009) found that occupational
therapists can implement vision interventions such as exercises to strengthen ocular muscles and
improve convergence, engaging in activities that require gross motor movements and identifying
visual targets. Moore, Adams and Barakatt (2016) state that vestibular rehabilitation programs
focus on activities such as gaze stabilization, sensory organization and gait along with aerobic
training significantly improve concussion related symptoms, function and return to meaningful
assessment and management of mild traumatic brain injuries in an acute setting. Rapues noted
that the Westmead Post-Traumatic Amnesia Scare (WPTAS) is used to monitor, diagnosis,
manage and treat a mild traumatic brain injury. He further stated that the Rivermead Post
frequency, intensity and duration after a brain injury. He reports that this information is useful in
the course of treatment. According to Radomski, Davison, Voydetich & Erickson (2009),
occupational therapy professionals can utilize many assessments and interventions in the
rehabilitation and reintegration of service members to improve their emotional, physical and
social well-being after being diagnosed with a mild traumatic brain injury. They note that
assessments used by occupational therapists for vision included the Brain Injury Visual
Assessment Battery for Adults and the Northern State University College of Optometry Test.
Assessments used for self-awareness included the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory and the
Self-Awareness of Deficit Interview. Finally, they note assessments used for cognition included
COGNITISTAT, Contextual Memory Test, Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test and Test of
Everyday Attention.
proper education to the individuals on the safe return to play of young individuals after a
concussion. Ahmed, Schneiders, McCrory & Sullivan (2017), found that the Facebook program,
iCon improves the management of a sports related concussion symptoms by educating the
individual who is experiencing these symptoms in order to return to play following a concussion.
They note that the program, iCon includes important concussion information, websites to
explore, videos to watch and daily posts/polls to participate in. Sohlberg and Ledbetter (2016)
state that the best treatments for returning to play are direct attention training, metacognitive
strategy instruction, training assistive technology for cognition and psychoeducational support.
Overall, there are many different interventions to help treat sports related concussions.
Boussi-Gross, Golan, Fishlev and Bechor (2013), found that occupational therapists can
recommend Hyperbaric Oxygen therapy which can induce neuroplasticity which leads to the
repair of impaired brain functions. Hamson-Utely (2017), found that occupational therapists can
treat the psychological factors that play a significant role following sports related-concussions.
The factors include cognitive behavioral therapy, proper patient education, relaxation strategies
and sleep monitoring to be proper interventions used for those experiencing psychological
(2009) found that occupational therapists can implement vision interventions such as exercises to
strengthen ocular muscles and improve convergence, engaging in activities that require gross
Rapues (2018) found that occupational therapists can use the Westmead Post-Traumatic
Amnesia Scare (WPTAS) to monitor, diagnosis, manage and treat a mild traumatic brain injury.
He further stated that the Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ) can be
used as a self-report to measure symptom frequency, intensity and duration after a brain injury.
Radomski, Davison, Voydetich & Erickson (2009) state that occupational therapy professionals
can utilize vision assessments that include the Brain Injury Visual Assessment Battery for Adults
and the Northern State University College of Optometry Test. Assessments used for self-
awareness include the Mayo-Portland Adaptability Inventory and the Self-Awareness of Deficit
Interview. Finally, they note that the COGNITISTAT, Contextual Memory Test, Rivermead
Behavioral Memory Test and Test of Everyday Attention can be used by occupational therapists
to determine different cognition levels. Ahmed, Schneiders, McCrory & Sullivan (2017), found
that occupational therapists can utilize the Facebook program, iCon which improves the
experiencing these symptoms with information on concussions, videos, posts and websites in
order to return to play. Sohlberg and Ledbetter (2016) states that the best treatments occupational
therapists can use for returning to play are direct attention training, metacognitive strategy
instruction, training assistive technology for cognition and psychoeducational support following
a concussion.
Review Process:
Inclusion Criteria:
Concussions and or Mild TBI
1940 and present
All ages
Exclusion Criteria:
1940 and older
Search Strategy:
Sites: N/A
This topic question was creating using PICO to further understand what occupational
therapy interventions are best to use with sports related concussions. After forming the question,
the clinical scenario was created to support the need for further research on this topic. Lastly,
research was conducted and there was a conclusion found. There were nine research articles that
were found, and the key findings/information was taken out and analyzed to help support the
research question above. The bottom line reviewed key evidence to answer the research question.
This document was peer reviewed by two different classmates and the course instructor, Kara
Welke to ensure that all the information was stated correctly.
Results of Search:
Level I:
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy Can Improve Post-Concussion Syndrome Years after Mild
Traumatic Brain Injury- Randomized Prospective Trial; Boussi-Gosse, Golan, Fishlev,
Bechor, Bolkov, Volkob and Bergan (2013)
This article doesn’t specifically target occupational therapy. It also only focused on 18 year olds
The articles consisted of small, medium and large sample sizes, but were mainly smaller and
were considered heterogeneous. There were many unstandardized outcomes that were measured
such as social skills, participation, attention/memory and etc. Due to the unstandardized
measures, this limited their ability to notice the effectiveness across interventions and studies.
Some of the interventions were tailored to certain participants which limits this article by how
reliable it is. Some of the studies had unclear components involved in the study. This article did
Level II:
Occupational Therapy Outcomes for Clients with Traumatic Brain Injury and Stroke
Using the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure; Phipps and Richardson (2007)
This study does not specifically target sports injuries and concussions. There were no controls for
recovery, premorbid characteristics, nature and locus of brain damage, occupational therapy,
original onset of evaluation, duration and frequency of treatment. The evaluator assisted the
client in identifying goals the therapist believed was easier to achieve. There was not a control
group, a wide range of interventions were used and the reliability of the five evaluators was not
assessed.
Level III:
This is a small sample size (n=14) and it does not specifically target occupational therapy. They
also limited their population to 18 years and older. They left out a big age group that may see
more concussions than those of the older population that are in high school.
Limitations in this study include how using Facebook while experiencing a concussion
contradicts the idea that rest helps those with concussions heal faster. Constantly looking at a
screen is not good for your eyes especially when experiencing a concussion. Also, individuals
selected for this study only included those in sports during the winter instead of those in sports
throughout the year. There was a small sample size (n=9) only including a small age gap, which
does not include those who are younger in sports under the age of 16. There were way more men
than there were women included in the study. This study did not address occupational therapy
specifically.
Level IV:
Limitations include only 28 of the questionnaires being returned and only being able to use 26 of
them for this study. None of the research or guidelines of the study actually thoroughly defined
the role of the occupational therapist or the exact tools that were being used in acute care settings
for those with mild traumatic brain injuries or concussions. This study does not specifically
target the prevention or treatment of concussions which is a part of the research question.
Level V:
The cognitive and physical symptoms vary greatly upon the individual including the different
mental health problems each person may exhibit. This report does not specifically target
occupational therapy but it does provide interventions to use with those experiencing post-
Occupational Therapy for Service Members with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury;
Randomski and Davidson (2009)
This study focuses its’ findings on service members returning from duty rather than young
doi:http://dx.doi.org.nctproxy.mnpals.net/10.4085/1062-6050-52.2.13
Boussi-Gross, R., Golan, H., Fishlev, G., Bechor, Y., Volkov, O., Bergan, J., . . . Efrati, S. (2013).
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can improve post-concussion syndrome years after mild
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0079999
Hamson-Utley, J., Arvinen-Barrow, M., & Clement, D. (2017). Managing mental health aspects
20171010-05
Lindsay, S., Hartman, L. R., Reed, N., Gan, C., Thomson, N., & Solomon, B. (2015). A
Children and Youth with Acquired Brain Injury. PLoS ONE, 10(4), 1–19.
https://doiorg.nctproxy.mnpals.net/10.1371/journal.pone.0124679
Moore, Brian, Adams, Joseph, & Barakatt, Edward (2016). Outcomes following a vestibular
com.nctproxy.mnpals.net/docview/1859416615?accountid=40780
Phipps, S., & Richardson, P. (2007). Occupational therapy outcomes for clients with traumatic
doi:http://dx.doi.org.nctproxy.mnpals.net/10.5014/ajot.61.3.328
Radomski, M. V., Davidson, L., Voydetich, D., & Erickson, M. W. (2009). Occupational therapy
for service members with mild traumatic brain injury. The American Journal of
doi:http://dx.doi.org.nctproxy.mnpals.net/10.5014/ajot.63.5.646
Sohlberg, M. M., & Ledbetter, A. K. (2016). Management of persistent cognitive symptoms after
sport-related
concussion. American Journal of Speech - Language Pathology (Online), 25(2), 1-12.
doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1044/2015_AJSLP-14-0128
Tan-Rapues, C. (2018). Mild traumatic brain injury: A review of current occupational therapy
practice in aotearoa new zealand's acute settings. New Zealand Journal of Occupational
url=https://search-proquest- com.nctproxy.mnpals.net/docview/2062900052?accountid=40780
from https://www.aans.org/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-
Treatments/Sports- related-Head-Injury
Brain Line (2018, August 28). Concussion and Sports. Retrieved from
https://www.brainline.org/article/concussion-and-sports
Health Line (2017). Concussion: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatments. Retrieved from
https://www.healthline.com/health/concussion#complications
conditions/concussion/symptoms-causes/syc-20355594