A cognitive protocol for individuals with concussion

Approximately 3.8 million sports-related concussions occur annually in the United States (Lawton & Huang, 2019). A concussion is identified as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) that is caused by a direct blow to the head, neck, or face (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2022, November 14). It is a functional injury, as opposed to a structural injury, which causes stress to cerebral tissue and may be accompanied by headache, dizziness, decreased concentration, nausea, memory problems, irritability, fatigue, visual and sleep disturbances, sensitivity to noise, judgement problems, depression, and anxiety (CDC, 2023, April 10). However, when symptoms persist several months to a year following injury, the injury becomes post-concussion syndrome (PCS) (McInnes et al., 2017). On a structural level, PCS is characterized by abnormalities in the temporofrontal lobe and potential diffuse axonal damage that account for deficits in cognitive functioning (Ryan & Warden, 2003). Notably, memory problems are the most common impairment following a traumatic brain injury, and issues with attention, orientation, and problem solving often impede an individual’s ability to return to work (Lawton & Huang, 2019).