Effectiveness of a Customized Rehabilitation Program for Adults With Post-Concussion Syndrome-A Randomized Controlled Crossover Trial.

In 30 seconds

This randomized controlled crossover trial evaluated subgroup-informed customized rehabilitation (CR) versus symptom-based standard care in 40 adults with persistent post-concussion symptoms. Participants were assigned to six weeks of each approach in opposite sequences, with treatment tailored according to clinical examination findings. Group A showed clinically meaningful, statistically significant improvements in primary and secondary outcomes after CR, maintained at 12 weeks. Group B improved significantly and meaningfully on Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire scores, with significant secondary-outcome improvements, only after receiving CR. The abstract reports no numerical effect sizes.

Key findings

• After six weeks of customized rehabilitation, Group A improved significantly and clinically meaningfully on primary and secondary outcomes; gains persisted at 12 weeks.
• Group B showed significant, clinically meaningful Rivermead questionnaire improvements and significant secondary-outcome gains only after customized rehabilitation.

Why it matters

Persistent post-concussion symptoms vary across patients, complicating rehabilitation decisions. These findings suggest that identifying likely autonomic, cervical, or vestibulo-ocular contributors and tailoring rehabilitation accordingly may yield better outcomes than symptom-based care in this study population. The results support further consideration of individualized assessment while recognizing that the abstract provides no numerical estimates of treatment effects.

What to keep in mind

The study included 40 adults recruited from clinics in the greater Toronto area, limiting the breadth of the population represented. The abstract provides no numerical effect estimates.