Objective The aim of this study was to identify whether the addition of an individualised Active Rehabilitation Intervention to standard care influences recovery of young patients who are slow to recover following a sport-related concussion and remain symptomatic at rest.

Design Quasi-experimental, prospective study Setting: Interdisciplinary private concussion clinic

Subjects Fifteen participants aged 15±2 years.

Intervention Standard care and an individualised Active Rehabilitation Intervention which included: 1) low- to high-intensity aerobic training; 2) specific coordination exercises; and, 3) balance exercises.

Outcome measures List of symptoms before and after the intervention, duration of symptoms, adherence to the individualised exercice program.

Results The Active Rehabilitation Intervention lasted 49 (SD=17 days) days. The duration of the intervention was correlated to self-reported adherence (x=84.64 19.63%, r=−0.792, p<0.001). The average postconcussion symptom inventory (PCSI) score went from a total of 36.85±23.21 points to 4.31±5.04 points after the intervention (Z=−3.18, p=0.001).

Conclusions A progressive sub-maximal Active Rehabilitation Intervention may represent an important asset in the recovery of young patients who are slow to recover following a sport-related concussion.

Competing interests Phil Fait: Co-owner of the Cortex Mdecine et Radaptation clinic Sarah Imhoff, Frdrike Carrier-Toutant, Genevive Boulard: None.