Concussion Circuit Program

Concussion is a subset of mild traumatic brain injury and represents a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced by biomechanical forces. It is usually characterized by a transient impairment of neurological function. Concussion is often caused by a direct blow to the head but can be caused by a blow to any part of the body, where that force is then transmitted to the head.1.2.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF A CONCUSSION MAY INCLUDE:

Headache or a feeling of pressure in the head
Temporary loss of consciousness
Confusion or feeling as if in a fog
Amnesia surrounding the traumatic event
Dizziness or “seeing stars”
Ringing in the ears
Nausea
Vomiting
Slurred speech
Delayed response to questions
Appearing dazed
Fatigue

Treatments Menu

YOU MAY HAVE SOME SYMPTOMS OF CONCUSSIONS IMMEDIATELY. OTHERS MAY BE DELAYED FOR HOURS OR DAYS AFTER INJURY, SUCH AS:

Concentration and memory complaints
Irritability and other personality changes
Sensitivity to light and noise
Sleep disturbances Psychological adjustment problems and depression
Disorders of taste and smell

In most people, symptoms occur within the first seven to 10 days and goes away within three months.

It is important to know that you do not have to lose consciousness to get a concussion. In fact, the risk of post-concussion syndrome does not appear to be associated with the severity of the initial injury.

Post-concussion syndrome is a complex disorder in which various concussion symptoms last for weeks and sometimes months after the injury.

The goal of treatment is to effectively manage symptoms.

At Apollo Physical Therapy Centres, our trained physiotherapists will conduct a thorough assessment, and an individualized program for accident rehabilitation in Ottawa will be developed according to your unique needs and presentation.

To enhance rehabilitation potential, we have developed a concussion management program called the Concussion
Circuit that integrates group interaction and social re-integration.

The Concussion Circuit is an outpatient, group-based program designed around a circuit of 10-15 stations.

Each group is composed of 8 to 12 participants who continue to live with persistent post-concussion symptoms after a mild traumatic brain injury.

THE CONCUSSION CIRCUIT STATIONS INCORPORATE THE FOLLOWING AREAS OF INTERVENTION:

Education on self-management of symptoms and pain neuroscience.
Vision therapy/rehabilitation and visuopostural rehabilitation.
Vestibular therapy/rehabilitation.
Sub-threshold aerobic exercise.
Neurocognitive exercises.
Mindfulness and meditation.
Physical and Cognitive rest.

In most people, symptoms occur within the first seven to 10 days and goes away within three months.

Periods of physical and cognitive rest are integrated in between these stations to provide patients ample time to recover from stimulation. Each session will last 2 hours and participants are required to attend 1x a week for 16 weeks for a total of 16 sessions. They are also given a homework component to follow through on the days between sessions.

Our accident rehabilitation in Ottawa is headed by Physiotherapists in coordination with Occupational Therapists, Kinesiologists, and Rehabilitation assistants.

References:

McCrory P, Meeuwisse WH, Aubry M, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 4th International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Zurich, November 2012. Br J Sports Med 2013; 47: 250–258.
McCrory P, Meeuwisse W, Dvorak J, et al. Consensus statement on concussion in sport – the 5th International Conference on Concussion in Sport held in Berlin, October 2016. Br J Sports Med 2017; 51: 838–847.