Perception and practice of prescribed rest following concussion in primary and secondary schools

• Published in: British Journal of Sports Medicine 2017-06, Vol.51 (11), p.A18-A19
• Main Authors: Taylor, Alex M, Blackwell, Laura S, Robinson, Anna F, Proctor, Mark R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0306-3674; 1473-0480
• DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2016-097270.46

ObjectiveThe purpose of our study was to characterise return-to-learn practices following concussion in primary and secondary schools, particularly with regard to prescribed cognitive rest.DesignCross-sectional survey.SettingMassachusetts.ParticipantsNine hundred member of the Massachusetts School Nurse Research Network (MASNRN) employed full or part-time at a public, private, or charter school serving pre-school through the 12th grade.Outcome measuresPrescribed rest (actual) versus perceived benefit of rest.Main resultsA majority of respondents expressed the opinion that more prolonged cognitive rest benefits recovery, with 53.6% endorsing 4–10 days as beneficial compared to 44.3% endorsing 3 days or less. Only 2.1% felt no benefit to cognitive rest following concussion. The average number of medically advised rest (actual) was equal for older and younger students (4.5 days). School nurses perceived less benefit to prolonged cognitive rest (>4 days) for high school students relative to students in elementary school [2 (4, n=97)=11.05, p