Concussion Care: A Practical Approach to Assessment of Injury, Symptoms
Management and Return to Play
There are more than 3 million concussions annually in the United States, with many
occurring in recreational and organized athletics. While the vast majority of
individuals who sustain concussion will make a rapid return to normal functioning
without short or long-term difficulties, up to 30% will have persistent symptoms at
3 months and 10-20% of these individuals will continue to have difficulties at 1year. There is increasing concern that a subset of individuals, particularly those will
repeated concussion and those with traumatic brain injuries of greater severity, will
be at elevated risk to developed degenerative brain disorders (e.g., chronic
traumatic encephalopathy, Parkinsons disease, Alzheimers-type dementias). Early
and accurate concussion assessment, aggressive, individualized management
interventions and thorough knowledge of risk factors related to the development of
early and late effects are keys to success in concussion care.
At the completion of this conference, participants will be able to; 1) discuss the state
of the science in assessment, management, return to play and late-life effects after
concussion, 2) demonstrate a standardized approach to assessment of balance,
vision and coordination after concussion, 3) review available interventions to
manage balance, vision and coordination difficulties after concussion, and 4)
formulate integrative assessment and management strategies to common
difficulties seen after concussion.
Interactive Lectures: - Background and Practical Assessment Pearls
09:00-09:30 The science and the myths behind what you need to know about
concussions
David Cifu, MD
09:15-09:30 Balance, Gait, Exercise and Depression Associated with Concussion
Dayna Geiger, DPT
09:30-09:45 Overview of Cervicogenic Dizziness.
Jennifer Burton, DPT
09:45-10:00 The Importance of Vision Screening in Concussion
Jennifer Thomas OTR/L
Hands On Demonstrations - Practical Interventions for acute and persistent deficits
10:00-10:45 3 separate workstations – each station with 15-minute demonstration
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Joint position error target assessment related to cervicogenic
dizziness - Burton
King-Devick Test, brief vision screen for range of motion, and
saccades - Thomas
Dynamic balance and gait testing with treatment strategies Geiger
10:45-11:00 Break
11:00-11:45 3 separate workstations – each station with 15-minute demonstration
 Vision treatment: Marsden ball, Kirschner arrows - Thomas
 Joint position error target treatment progression related to
cervicogenic dizziness - Burton
 Do I need to rest? – Assessing return to exercise, sport and
team participation -- Geiger
11:45-12:00 Questions and Answers
Seminar Faculty
Coordinator
David X. Cifu, MD
Professor and Chairman
Department of PMR, Virginia Commonwealth University
National Director, PM&R Services
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Principal Investigator, Chronic Effects of Neurotrauma Consortium (CENC)
U.S. Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs
Speakers
Jennifer Burton, DPT
Physical Therapist, Concussion Program
Salt Lake City VAMC
JenniferThomas, OTR/L
Occupational Therapist, Concussion Program
Salt Lake City VAMC
Dayna Geiger, DPT
Physical Therapist, Concussion Program
Salt Lake City VAMC