Concussion Resources

A concussion is a traumatic brain injury caused by an impact or forceful motion to the head or body that causes the brain to move inside the skull.

Approximately 11, 300 Nova Scotians sustain a concussion annually¹. The majority of individuals fully recover by 3 months. Of those, 15-30% (more than 1,500 per year) experience persistent symptoms that can result in poorer outcomes, including loss of time from work or school¹.

Early intervention results in better outcomes.

Check out these resources to learn more about diagnosis and management of concussion, patient education materials, local resources to support recovery, and self-management tools.

Concussion Recovery

Lunch & Learn Slides (Nov 2023): Click attachment below.

Recording: https://stream2.nshealth.ca/2023/11-22-Abi-Lunch-And-Learn

Additional Resources:

Clinical Practice Guidelines: https://concussionsontario.org/

The Living Concussion Guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for adults who have experienced concussion. Sections include diagnosis, initial management, sport-related concussion, assessment and management of prolonged symptoms, post-traumatic headache, sleep-wake disturbances, mental health disorders, cognitive difficulties, vestibular and vision dysfunction, fatigue, and return to work/school. The diagnosis section reviews the 2023 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine (ACRM) diagnostic criteria for concussion or uncomplicated mTBI. https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(23)00297-6/fulltext

Diagnosing Concussion:

2023 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine Diagnostic Criteria for mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI).

https://www.archives-pmr.org/article/S0003-9993(23)00297-6/fulltext

For Primary Health Care Providers:

Diagnosing and Managing Concussion Tool for Primary Care Providers

https://cep.health/clinical-products/concussion/

Nova Scotia Health Resources:

Concussion Awareness and Concussion Management Card: https://braininjuryns.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Digital-Concussion-Cards.pdf

Concussion Management- Patient and Family Guide: https://www.nshealth.ca/sites/nshealth.ca/files/patientinformation/0395.pdf

Concussion Education Session flyer: https://www.nshealth.ca/sites/default/files/documents/pamphlets/2013.pdf

Introduction to Brain Injury Association of Nova Scotia (BIANS) Resources:

https://braininjuryns.com/concussion/