Concussions and an Early Return to School
Children are often susceptible to receiving concussions due to falling, contact sports, or other reasons. As a result, they are forced to miss school in order to fully recover. There is little information known on the amount of school absence a concussed child should receive, leaving it entirely up to the family’s discretion. However, a recent study has shown that children with concussions may experience a lower symptom burden (nausea, confusion, headache, dizziness, etc.) and an overall faster recovery by returning to school earlier instead of later.
Researchers examined data from 1,630 children aged 5 to 18, separating them into three age groups: 5–7 years, 8–12 years, and 13–18 years. Data was then collected on 7, 14, and 28 days after injury from the participants by an online survey or telephone to provide information on their symptom status and when they returned to school. Information about other variables that could affect concussion severity was collected such as age, sex, personal and family migraine history, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other learning disabilities. Further, this study had an equal representation of both male and female participants.
Researchers examined data from 1,630 children aged 5 to 18, separating them into three age groups: 5–7 years, 8–12 years, and 13–18 years. Data was then collected on 7, 14, and 28 days after injury from the participants by an online survey or telephone to provide information on their symptom status and when they returned to school. Information about other variables that could affect concussion severity was collected such as age, sex, personal and family migraine history, anxiety, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and other learning disabilities. Further, this study had an equal representation of both male and female participants.
Young children display no difference in symptoms by returning to school earlier.
Image Source: Andrea Piacquadio
After compiling the data, researchers observed that older children had a larger number of school days missed at 4.71 days off compared to the average of 3.74 days off (excluding weekends). A late return to school, described as missing three or more days of school, was most prevalent in the 13–18 age range with almost 60% of teens returning late. There was no recorded difference in the 5–7 age group. Overall, the younger the child, the less likely they were to miss school after receiving a concussion.
Surprisingly, data collected 14 days after the child’s concussive incident showed that an early return to school correlated with lower symptom levels for all ages except 5–7 year-olds. Researchers note that this may be due to a lack of stimulation from staying at home and that socialization with peers, reduced stress from not missing school, and light-to-moderate physical activities may be among the greatest factors in mitigating harmful symptoms.
While the data suggests that an early return to school may lead to symptom mitigation, it is also important to note that this study is merely a correlation. The factors and specific reasons for the association between fewer symptoms and an earlier return to school are still unknown. It is still important to prioritize proper rest before engaging back in school to prevent further damage.
Surprisingly, data collected 14 days after the child’s concussive incident showed that an early return to school correlated with lower symptom levels for all ages except 5–7 year-olds. Researchers note that this may be due to a lack of stimulation from staying at home and that socialization with peers, reduced stress from not missing school, and light-to-moderate physical activities may be among the greatest factors in mitigating harmful symptoms.
While the data suggests that an early return to school may lead to symptom mitigation, it is also important to note that this study is merely a correlation. The factors and specific reasons for the association between fewer symptoms and an earlier return to school are still unknown. It is still important to prioritize proper rest before engaging back in school to prevent further damage.
Featured Image Source: cottonbro studio
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