#46 - Concussion Myth #4: Long rest in a dark room helps with recovery

So far we’ve debunked 3 concussion myths. If you missed them, jump back a few episodes to catch up. Today we’ll be discussing concussion myth #4 long rest in a dark room helps with recovery.

Head injuries and rest have been debated time and time again. The “concussion dark room myth” is unsupported by evidence. Experts agree that the best concussion treatment and return to play protocols involve a gradual and progressive increase in activity. Research has also shown that moderate physical activity does not delay recovery time so long as you are following medical advice from a healthcare professional.

Rest in a dark room is okay when within the 24 to 48-hour window, but extended isolation from everyday tasks makes it that much harder to integrate back into normal life.