Exercises targeted to enhance function of the vestibular and visual systems may be effective for reducing symptoms following concussion.
In a new study in the Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers followed 1,041 patients who had been diagnosed with concussion in the past 30 days. Evaluations were performed on subjects to test 9 forms of visual and vestibular functioning: smooth pursuit, horizontal/vertical saccades and gaze stability, binocular convergence, left/right monocular accommodation, and complex tandem gait.
All patients were provided with a home exercise plan (HEP) with exercises for sensory adaptation, vision, and balance. The researchers followed up in 60 days and divided each subject into 3 groups based on their self-reported adherence to the plan: patients who did not attempt the HEP, patients who had completed part of the HEP, or patients who had fully completed the HEP.
Compared to the patients who had less participation in the HEP, increased performance of the vestibular and visual exercises was associated with significant improvements in important concussion related metrics including smooth pursuit, saccades, and gait abnormalities.
Conclusions
This study is observational and does not conclusively prove that participation in the exercises was directly causing the improvements in function. Nonetheless, this data does indicate that the many patients do experience substantial improvements in visual and vestibular symptoms in the 60 days following concussion, and these improvements are more commonly seen in those individuals participating in a comprehensive well-designed vestibular rehabilitation plan.
References