216 Participants Needed

High-Dose Exercise for Concussion Recovery

(MEDIC Trial)

Recruiting at 2 trial locations
MJ
DR
LK
KR
Overseen ByKelsie Richardson, MS
Age: < 65
Sex: Any
Trial Phase: Phase 2
Sponsor: University of Colorado, Denver
No Placebo GroupAll trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)
Prior Safety DataThis treatment has passed at least one previous human trial
Approved in 3 JurisdictionsThis treatment is already approved in other countries

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

Aerobic exercise has emerged as an effective treatment to reduce sport-related concussion symptom severity, yet existing work lacks rigor regarding the precise exercise volume and intensity required to elicit therapeutic effects, how exercise can alter concussion-related pathophysiology, and whether exercise can prevent the development of secondary sequelae. Our objective is to examine if a high dose exercise program (higher volume than currently prescribed at an individualized, safe intensity level) initiated within 14 days of concussion results in faster symptom resolution, altered physiological function, or reduced secondary sequalae. Findings from this research will lead to more rigorous and precise rehabilitation guidelines and improved understanding about how exercise affects neurophysiological function among adolescents with concussion.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

Is high-dose exercise safe for concussion recovery?

Research shows that controlled aerobic exercise is generally safe for concussion recovery, with no adverse effects reported in several studies. It may even help reduce symptoms and improve psychological well-being.12345

How does high-dose exercise differ from other treatments for concussion recovery?

High-dose exercise for concussion recovery is unique because it involves aerobic exercise at a level just below the threshold that would trigger symptoms, which is different from the traditional approach of complete rest. This method aims to improve recovery by gradually reintroducing physical activity, potentially reducing symptoms and improving psychological well-being without adverse effects.12367

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment High Dose Exercise, Aerobic Exercise, High-Intensity Aerobic Exercise, Subsymptom Threshold Aerobic Exercise for concussion recovery?

Research suggests that aerobic exercise, when done below the level that worsens symptoms, can help speed up recovery from a concussion. Studies have shown that early controlled aerobic exercise is safe and may reduce the duration of symptoms, helping individuals return to normal activities faster.23689

Who Is on the Research Team?

DR

David R Howell, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for teens aged 13-18 who have been diagnosed with a concussion by a sports medicine physician and are still experiencing symptoms (PCSS score >10). It's not suitable for those with pre-existing neurological disorders, exercise contraindications, or another concussion in the last 6 months.

Inclusion Criteria

Post-Concussion Symptom Scale (PCSS) score >10 to ensure participants are not recovered by enrollment
Concussion diagnosis by a sports medicine physician

Exclusion Criteria

Pre-existing neurological disorders
Exercise contraindications
Concussion <6 months before enrollment (excluding the current injury)

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2 weeks
1 visit (in-person)

Treatment

Participants are randomized to high dose aerobic exercise or standard-of-care, with exercise recommendations adjusted upon symptom resolution

8 weeks
Weekly visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including serum biomarker and cerebrovascular function assessments

8 weeks
2 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

  • High Dose Exercise
Trial Overview The study tests if starting a high dose of aerobic exercise within two weeks after getting a concussion can speed up symptom recovery, change physiological functions, or prevent issues like depression and anxiety that sometimes follow concussions.
How Is the Trial Designed?
2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Active Control
Group I: High Dose ExerciseExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
Group II: Standard-of-careActive Control1 Intervention

High Dose Exercise is already approved in United States, Canada, European Union for the following indications:

🇺🇸
Approved in United States as Aerobic Exercise for:
🇨🇦
Approved in Canada as Aerobic Exercise for:
🇪🇺
Approved in European Union as Aerobic Exercise for:

Find a Clinic Near You

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Colorado, Denver

Lead Sponsor

Trials
1,842
Recruited
3,028,000+

Boston Children's Hospital

Collaborator

Trials
801
Recruited
5,584,000+

Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD)

Collaborator

Trials
2,103
Recruited
2,760,000+

Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

Collaborator

Trials
143
Recruited
11,200+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Adherence to a personalized aerobic exercise prescription within the first week after a sport-related concussion (SRC) is linked to faster recovery, with adherent adolescents recovering in a median of 12 days compared to 21.5 days for non-adherents.
Interestingly, those who adhered to the exercise regimen were more symptomatic and had lower exercise tolerance at the start, indicating that initial exercise intolerance, rather than symptom severity, influences adherence to the exercise program.
Adolescents with Sport-Related Concussion Who Adhere to Aerobic Exercise Prescriptions Recover Faster.Chizuk, HM., Willer, BS., Cunningham, A., et al.[2023]
Early controlled aerobic exercise following a concussion is safe and does not adversely affect recovery, based on a review of 5 studies including randomized controlled trials and retrospective studies.
Implementing early aerobic exercise may lead to quicker returns to school and a reduction in symptom duration, suggesting it can positively impact recovery despite not always decreasing symptom intensity.
Early Controlled Exercise and Timing of Treatment Following Concussion: A Critically Appraised Topic.Hattrup, N., Gray, H., Krumholtz, M., et al.[2021]
Aerobic exercise is increasingly recognized as a beneficial rehabilitation technique for individuals recovering from concussions, as it can help reduce symptoms and improve overall function.
The review highlights that while exercise is promising, the optimal parameters for recovery—such as frequency, duration, and intensity—are still not well defined, indicating a need for further research in this area.
The Role of Aerobic Exercise in Reducing Persistent Sport-related Concussion Symptoms.Howell, DR., Taylor, JA., Tan, CO., et al.[2020]

Citations

Adolescents with Sport-Related Concussion Who Adhere to Aerobic Exercise Prescriptions Recover Faster. [2023]
Early Controlled Exercise and Timing of Treatment Following Concussion: A Critically Appraised Topic. [2021]
The Role of Aerobic Exercise in Reducing Persistent Sport-related Concussion Symptoms. [2020]
A preliminary study of subsymptom threshold exercise training for refractory post-concussion syndrome. [2022]
Efficacy of aerobic exercise following concussion: a narrative review. [2023]
The Role of Subsymptom Threshold Aerobic Exercise for Persistent Concussion Symptoms in Patients With Postconcussion Syndrome: A Systematic Review. [2021]
Symptom Provocation During Aerobic and Dynamic Supervised Exercise Challenges in Adolescents With Sport-Related Concussion. [2022]
Graded aerobic treadmill testing in pediatric sports-related concussion: safety, clinical use, and patient outcomes. [2022]
Sex differences in self-reported symptoms after aerobic exercise in non-injured athletes: implications for concussion management programmes. [2009]
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