Return to Meaningful Activities After a Multi-Modal Rehabilitation Programme among Individuals Who Experience Persistent Dizziness and Debility Longer Than 9 Months after Sustaining a Concussion: A Case Series

Abstract

Purpose: The authors explored changes in outcome measures and return to meaningful life activities in six individuals who participated in a home-based multi-modal rehabilitation programme to address persistent dizziness and debility that had continued for more than 9 months since a documented concussion. Methods: In a case series using a repeated-measures design, changes from pre- to post-treatment assessments were assessed after a 6-month intervention. The outcome measures used were the Rivermead Post-Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire's subsidiary scales (RPQ-3, RPQ-13), Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale, Functional Gait Assessment, return to work or study, and return to activity. Results: Six months after the multi-modal rehabilitation programme, statistically significant differences were found on the RPQ-3 (p=0.026), RPQ-13 (p=0.037), and DHI (p=0.033). In addition, four participants had returned to their previous work, and all six participants had been able to return to physical activity. Conclusion: A supervised home programme, provided in the context of a multi-modal rehabilitation programme, has the potential to improve outcomes even when rehabilitative services are delayed and persistent concussion-related symptoms continue for a significant amount of time after the onset of a concussion.