Largest study of concussion ever conducted in college athletes is redefining the timeline for recovery as a process taking up to 28 days, up from the suggested normal recovery time of up to 14 days.
The study’s lead researcher, Steve Broglio, director of the University of Michigan Concussion Center, is on the CARE Consortium leadership team and leads the CARE clinical study core.
“Normal return-to-play time was previously set at 14 days––meaning 50% of people recovered in that time. Our paper suggests that 28 days more fully encapsulates the recovery process. At that point, 85% of people have returned to play,” Broglio said.
The study found that though median recovery times were consistent with the previously suggested 14 days, it was not until one month post-injury that most athletes were cleared for unrestricted sport participation.
This doesn’t mean that universities must revise their return to play protocols.
