Moderate screen exposure linked to better concussion outcomes

Researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital have found that moderate screen time might be better for concussion recovery than no screen time at all. In a study published today in British Journal of Sports Medicine, researchers found that about 141 minutes of screen time each day for the first three days following concussion was associated with quicker recovery.

"These findings support that moderate screen time – not too little or too much – may support concussion recovery," said lead author Jingzhen Ginger Yang, PhD, MPH, principal investigator in the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children's. "A median of 141 minutes of screen time each day was associated with a 35% faster recovery, compared to 260 minutes of screen time each day. Youth who use screens for more than four hours per day or less than two hours per day may be at risk for slower concussion symptom resolution."

This new study, conducted by experts in Nationwide Children's Center for Injury Research and Policy and division of Sports Medicine evaluated screen time and type in the first week after a concussion and explored the associations between screen time (duration and type) and concussion recovery in youth.

While some research on pediatric concussion has relied on self-reported screen time, this study used a wearable device to objectively measure out-of-school screen time, measured in minutes per day. Screen time use was classified as smartphone, TV, computer/tablet, or gaming during the first week post-injury among youth aged 11-17 years with a physician-diagnosed concussion.

The type of screen time mattered, too. Around two hours per day of smartphone and TV use were associated with quicker recovery, while computer/tablet and gaming were not significantly related to faster symptom resolution.

This study showed that youth with concussion may benefit from some smartphone or TV use, rather than avoiding screen time completely or overusing screens in the days following a concussion. While clinical trials are needed to keep moving forward, this study shows a potential development in concussion treatment practices, contrary to previous guidance that recommended total avoidance of screens."

Thomas Pommering, DO, chief of sports medicine at Nationwide Children's and co-author of the study

This study has several important clinical implications:

• Moderate screen time, neither too much or too little, during the first week after concussion may help accelerate recovery.
• Pediatricians may consider recommending a balanced level of screen time among youth immediately after concussion.
• Different types of screen activity may also affect recovery differently. Youth with concussion may benefit from monitoring both quantity and type screen use after injury, potentially with support of wearable technology, to aid in recovery.
• Clinical trials are necessary to determine the optimal screen time and specific types of screen activities that may support concussion recovery among youth.

Families should collaborate with their child's care team to develop an individualized care plan that is tailored to injury severity, symptom progressing and recovery milestones, with adjustments made throughout recovery.