Researchers Are Seeking Participants for Concussion Clinical Trial

The University at Buffalo is seeking participants in a clinical trial to test a recently developed exercise treatment for concussion.

A media release from the university notes that physicians from the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo (UBMD) have developed the new treatment, which John Leddy, MD, principal investigator on the study, explains, involves some activity rather than rest during recovery.

“Until recently, the standard of care in concussion has been to tell individuals who have suffered concussions to go home and rest until the symptoms go away,” Leddy says in the release. “Our research has demonstrated that some activity is actually necessary to promote recovery.”

However, how much activity is still unknown, per the release.

“We know that activity helps to speed recovery, but we also know too much activity prevents it,” explains Barry Willer, PhD, director of research for the University at Buffalo Concussion Management Clinic and professor in the Department of Psychiatry, who coordinates the research study design, in the release.

“A major goal of our research is to determine how much activity, and what activity, is best,” he adds.

Physicians at UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine (UBMD Ortho) will be conducting the trial to test the new treatment on any 13- to 17-year-old adolescent from Western New York who has experienced a concussion, whether or not it resulted from participating in a sport. The trial will continue until the summer of 2016.

“If you’re an adolescent who has experienced a concussion in the last few days, either on the field or off, we want to see you ASAP,” Leddy states in the release.

Prospective patients should call 716-204-3200. UBMD Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine offices are located in Buffalo, Amherst, Niagara Falls and Orchard Park. The study is also being conducted through the University of Manitoba, so adolescents in the vicinity of Winnipeg, Canada, are also encouraged to call, according to the release.

[Source(s): University at Buffalo, Newswise]