Outcomes Following a Vestibular Rehabilitation and Aerobic Training Program to Address Persistent Post-Concussion Symptoms

To describe changes in adults with persistent symptoms and disability following a concussion after completing a supervised home exercise vestibular rehabilitation (VR) program combined with aerobic training.Participants included 14 consecutive individuals referred for VR within the context of a comprehensive concussion center. Outcome measures were administered at initial evaluation, 3 mos, and 6 mos. Outcome measures included: Rivermead Post-Concussion Questionnaire symptom (RPQ-3) and function (RPQ-13) subcategories, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), functional gait assessment (FGA), return to work/study (RTW), and return to activity (RTA).At 6 months, all clinical outcome measures were found to be statistically significant or approaching statistical significance: RPQ-3 (p0.001), RPQ-13 (p0.004), DHI (p0.001), ABC (p0.007), FGA (p0.001). For return to meaningful activity, associations between time of measure and both RTW (p0.019) and RTA (p0.001) were found to be statistically significant or approach statistical significance.Following 6 months of participation in a supervised home exercise VR program with aerobic training, significant improvements were observed in participants' report of concussion-related symptoms, function, and return to meaningful activities.