Curtin University study identifies risk factors for prolonged concussion symptoms

A new Curtin University study has found almost half of people who experience a concussion still experience problems a year later, while also revealing which factors put patients most at risk of long-term symptoms. The Concussion Recovery Study followed 232 adults aged 18-65 who had sustained a concussion and found 45.6 per cent still reported symptoms 12 months after their injury.

Ongoing effects included fatigue, difficulty concentrating, headaches, dizziness, memory problems, sensitivity to noise and light, balance issues, irritability and more. Published in PLOS One, the research identified the strongest predictors of long-term symptoms, while also challenging commonly held assumptions about what leads to prolonged issues.

Study author Dr Jacinta Thorne, from the Curtin Medical Research Institute, said participants who reported severe symptoms in the days after their concussion were almost three times more likely to still be experiencing symptoms a year later. Feeling slow, mentally foggy or nervous in the days immediately following injury were important warning signs that someone may need closer monitoring and support during recovery.

Dr. Jacinta Thorne, Curtin Medical Research Institute However, researchers also found initial indicators of injury severity don't necessarily lead to a longer recovery. "We found no evidence that loss of consciousness, post-traumatic amnesia or whether a patient received a CT scan predicted who would experience persistent symptoms a year later," Dr Thorne said.

"That tells us it's not always the injury that appears most serious at the time that leads to the poorest recovery. "Instead, what people are feeling and experiencing in the days immediately after the injury appears to be far more important than traditional markers of injury severity." The study also revealed other risk factors for long-term recovery in people with: History of mental health conditions - 2.6 times more likely to experience symptoms after 12 months Pre-existing sleep disorders - 5.1 times more likely at 12 months Concussion from a non-sport injury - 2.5 times more likely at 12 months Related Stories Nighttime light exposure linked to sleep disruption in people with schizophrenia New framework maps the complex link between psychological status and cardiovascular health New review identifies pistachios as a promising whole food for sleep research Dr Thorne said this showed recovery was about much more than the initial injury.