{"id":11978,"date":"2026-10-02T06:00:33","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T05:00:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/?p=11978"},"modified":"2026-09-29T15:12:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-29T14:12:10","slug":"study-finds-moderate-screen-time-may-speed-recovery-in-youth-with-concussion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.bmj.com\/bjsm\/2026\/10\/02\/study-finds-moderate-screen-time-may-speed-recovery-in-youth-with-concussion\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Finds Moderate Screen Time May Speed Recovery in Youth with Concussion"},"content":{"rendered":"

Keywords: <\/strong>concussion recovery, screen time, pediatric concussion<\/p>\n

Researchers at Nationwide Children\u2019s Hospital have found that moderate screen time might be better for concussion recovery than no screen time at all. In a study published today in <\/span>British Journal of Sports Medicine<\/span><\/i><\/a>, researchers found that about 141 minutes of screen time each day for the first three days following concussion was associated with quicker recovery.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese findings support that moderate screen time \u2013 not too little or too much \u2013 may support concussion recovery,\u201d said lead author <\/span>Jingzhen Ginger Yang, PhD, MPH<\/span><\/a>, principal investigator in the Center for Injury Research and Policy of the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children\u2019s. \u201cA median of 141 minutes of screen time each day was associated with a 35% faster recovery, compared to 260 minutes of screen time each day. Youth who use screens for more than four hours per day or less than two hours per day may be at risk for slower concussion symptom resolution.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

This new study, conducted by experts in Nationwide Children\u2019s <\/span>Center for Injury Research and Policy<\/span><\/a> and division of <\/span>Sports Medicine<\/span><\/a> evaluated screen time and type in the first week after a concussion and explored the associations between screen time (duration and type) and concussion recovery in youth.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While some research on pediatric concussion has relied on self-reported screen time, this study used a wearable device to objectively measure out-of-school screen time, measured in minutes per day. Screen time use was classified as smartphone, TV, computer\/tablet, or gaming during the first week post-injury among youth aged 11-17 years with a physician-diagnosed concussion.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The type of screen time mattered, too. Around two hours per day of smartphone and TV use were associated with quicker recovery, while computer\/tablet and gaming were not significantly related to faster symptom resolution. \u201cThis study showed that youth with concussion may benefit from some smartphone or TV use, rather than avoiding screen time completely or overusing screens in the days following a concussion,\u201d said <\/span>Thomas Pommering, DO<\/span><\/a>, chief of sports medicine at Nationwide Children’s and co-author of the study. \u201cWhile clinical trials are needed to keep moving forward, this study shows a potential development in concussion treatment practices, contrary to previous guidance that recommended total avoidance of screens.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n

This study has several important clinical implications:<\/span><\/p>\n