Medical Management of Males and Females in Return to Learn and Return to Play after Concussion: An Observational Study

Abstract

This study aimed to 1) Describe differences in medical management between males and females after a concussion, and 2) Explore factors associated with the number of days to Return to Learn (RTL) and Return to Play (RTP). 111 subjects, aged 12-19 with sports-related concussion participated. Independent samples t-tests, chi-square tests, and Poisson regression were used to determine the predictors for the days to RTL and RTP. Females received recommendations for school and sports restrictions more often than males (p < 0.03), were held out of sports twice as long as males (p = 0.002), and did not have full RTL 3 times longer than males (p < 0.001). Post-Concussion Symptom Score at baseline was the only significant predictor of the number of days to RTL (p < 0.001) and sex was the only significant predictor of the number of days to RTP (p = 0.04). The results of this study demonstrate specific medical management differences between the sexes after concussion. Understanding these differences may aid in the development of sex specific guidelines for RTL/RTP.