The neurological foundation of NZ has a library of events that is well worth looking at. Last week there was a webinar presentation called “Falls, crashes & smashes: Who's at risk of brain injury off the field?” you can find this presentation by clicking on this link, www.neurological.org.nz scroll down to Events and click onto the Lecture Library.
The presenter was Alice Theadom who is the 'Concussion Professor': Director of the TBI Network, Auckland University of Technology. Alice is a Professor of Brain Health and Director of the Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Network which aims to facilitate collaboration between clinicians, academics, policymakers and the community to do the research that makes a difference. Alice is an international leader in the field of mild traumatic brain injury (including concussion). She is a Registered Psychologist with expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods including clinical trials, large observational studies, implementation science and service evaluation projects. Alice describes TBI as an external force injury. The brain is shaken and lots of the areas of the brain may be affected. Even a mild concussion can cause major problems.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Everyone!! The incidence of TBI is increasing at a higher rate than our population growth. This could be because there is more awareness, so more reporting as well as the incidence of injury is not decreasing. After a mild TBI, research has found that after 1 year, nearly half of all those researched had symptoms.
36% reported headaches
41% experienced fatigue
32% were more irritable
28% reported dizziness
41% had memory loss
29% had anxiety
41% cognitive difficulties – longer thought processing
28% more sensitive to noise
4 Years after injury, 17% of those researched had either left their jobs or had reduced hours. Lower community involvement was noted (due to noise and being overwhelmed) and relationships were strained due to the length of recovery time and lack of understanding.
Alice referred to the “Recovery Jungle”. It is hard for people to find accurate information and so are not understanding what is happening to their brain and how the recovery process may be supported. There is always uncertainty about recovery time and not always a match between services and needs.
RISK FACTORS TO POOR RECOVERY
Alice cautions people against trying to return to work too early.
RECOVERY TIPS
Re-charging activities: Have a daytime nap, meditation, breathing techniques to relax and calm, baking and listening to music.
Do activities that nudge the brain into being challenged, but not exhausted, retrain your brain gently to encourage recovery.
Draining activities: Screen time, reading, puzzles, work/study, computer games.
ADVANCES ON THE HORIZON
There is a simple blood test to check for a concussion. It may detect a build up of proteins 24 hours after an injury.
Doctors may have access to a digital measure of concussion and people may get a direct referral to concussion services.
Women often have a longer recovery process. Studies are looking at the role of hormones in recovery.
CONCLUSIONS