PMID- 30036102 OWN - NLM STAT- MEDLINE DCOM- 20190820 LR - 20190820 IS - 1362-301X (Electronic) IS - 0269-9052 (Linking) VI - 32 IP - 12 DP - 2018 TI - Implementing a structured exercise program for persistent concussion symptoms: a pilot study on the effects on salivary brain-derived neurotrophic factor, cognition, static balance, and symptom scores. PG - 1556-1565 LID - 10.1080/02699052.2018.1498128 [doi] AB - PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: Persistent concussion symptoms (PCS) affect 10-30% of individuals after sports-related concussion. This study evaluated the effect of exercise-based rehabilitation on symptom scores, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cognitive functions and static balance in a sample of participants with PCS. RESEARCH DESIGN: One group pre-test post-test pilot study. METHODS AND PROCEDURE: Nine participants with PCS received a structured exercise-based rehabilitation program. Changes in symptom scores, BDNF, cognitive functions and measures of static balance were used to evaluate the utility of the exercise program. MAIN OUTCOME AND RESULTS: The results of this pilot study indicate a significant improvement in symptom scores following treatment, as well as some associated benefits in regards to cognitive function and static balance. BDNF levels in the participants with PCS within this study are notably lower than in a previous study on healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: The preliminary evidence reported in the current pilot study is clinically relevant as our findings suggest exercise-based treatments may improve PCS outcomes in a more favourable manner than rest-based treatment. FAU - McGeown, Joshua P AU - McGeown JP AUID- ORCID: 0000-0003-0225-4488 AD - a School of Kinesiology, Lakehead University , Department of Health and Behavioural Sciences , Thunder Bay , Canada. AD - b Sports Performance Research Institute New Zealand - Auckland University of Technology , Auckland , New Zealand. FAU - Zerpa, Carlos AU - Zerpa C AD - a School of Kinesiology, Lakehead University , Department of Health and Behavioural Sciences , Thunder Bay , Canada. FAU - Lees, Simon AU - Lees S AD - c Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Division, Lakehead University , Thunder Bay , Canada. FAU - Niccoli, Sarah AU - Niccoli S AUID- ORCID: 0000-0001-5832-1980 AD - c Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Division, Lakehead University , Thunder Bay , Canada. FAU - Sanzo, Paolo AU - Sanzo P AUID- ORCID: 0000-0002-5940-3539 AD - a School of Kinesiology, Lakehead University , Department of Health and Behavioural Sciences , Thunder Bay , Canada. AD - c Northern Ontario School of Medicine, Medical Sciences Division, Lakehead University , Thunder Bay , Canada. LA - eng PT - Journal Article DEP - 20180723 PL - England TA - Brain Inj JT - Brain injury JID - 8710358 RN - 0 (Biomarkers) RN - 0 (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor) RN - 7171WSG8A2 (BDNF protein, human) MH - Adolescent MH - Adult MH - Biomarkers/metabolism MH - Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/*metabolism MH - Cognition/*physiology MH - *Exercise Therapy/methods MH - Female MH - Humans MH - Male MH - Neuropsychological Tests MH - Physical Therapy Modalities MH - Pilot Projects MH - Post-Concussion Syndrome/physiopathology/*rehabilitation MH - Program Evaluation MH - Saliva/*metabolism MH - Young Adult OTO - NOTNLM OT - Persistent concussion symptoms OT - active rehabilitation OT - brain-derived neurotrophic factor OT - neuroplasticity OT - sports-related concussion EDAT- 2018/07/24 06:00 MHDA- 2019/08/21 06:00 CRDT- 2018/07/24 06:00 PHST- 2018/07/24 06:00 [pubmed] PHST- 2019/08/21 06:00 [medline] PHST- 2018/07/24 06:00 [entrez] AID - 10.1080/02699052.2018.1498128 [doi] PST - ppublish SO - Brain Inj. 2018;32(12):1556-1565. doi: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1498128. Epub 2018 Jul 23.