Key result
Concussion is associated with elevated heart rate and reduced heart rate variability during low-intensity exercise up to 10 days post-injury, though evidence regarding cardiac autonomic function at rest remains conflicting.
Why the study?
Does concussion alter cardiac autonomic function (heart rate and heart rate variability) in humans and animals?
Systematic Review (n=504)
Does concussion alter cardiac autonomic function (heart rate and heart rate variability) in humans and animals?
Concussion may alter cardiac autonomic function during physical activity, evidenced by elevated heart rate and reduced heart rate variability during low-intensity exercise.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May warrant HR monitoring during early post-concussion exercise; extends autonomic observations while leaving resting function unresolved.
PRIMARY OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the evidence regarding the effect of concussion on cardiac autonomic function (CAF). INCLUSION CRITERIA: Original research; available in English; included participants with concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and a comparison group; included measures of heart rate (HR) and/or heart rate variability (HRV) as outcomes. Studies of humans (greater than 6 years old) and animals were included. Critical appraisal tools: The Downs and Black (DB) criteria and Structured Effectiveness Quality Evaluation Scale (SEQES). RESULTS: Nine full-length articles and four abstracts were identified. There is conflicting evidence regarding CAF at rest following concussion. There is evidence of elevated HR and reduced HRV with low-intensity, steady-state exercise up to 10 days following concussion. There was no significant difference in HRV during isometric handgrip testing or HR while performing cognitive tasks following concussion. The validity of current literature is limited by small sample sizes, lack of female or paediatric participants, methodological heterogeneity and lack of follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: While there is some evidence to suggest CAF is altered during physical activity following concussion, methodological limitations highlight the need for further research. Understanding the effect of concussion on CAF will contribute to the development of more comprehensive concussion management strategies.
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Blake et al. (2015) conducted a systematic review in Concussion or mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) (n=504). Concussion / mTBI vs. Healthy controls or uninjured state was evaluated on Cardiac autonomic function (Heart rate and heart rate variability). Concussion is associated with elevated heart rate and reduced heart rate variability during low-intensity exercise up to 10 days post-injury, though evidence regarding cardiac autonomic function at rest remains conflicting.
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