From symptoms to solutions: Improving recovery after concussion

You might have experienced it yourself, taking a hit to your head after falling or while playing sports. Subsequently, you might have felt dizzy or nauseous. 

Concussions, or mild traumatic brain injuries, are very common with at least 302 per 100,000 people seeking medical care for concussions annually in Norway. Concussions can cause a range of different post-concussion symptoms, including headache, fatigue, and cognitive complaints. While most people recover spontaneously within a few days or weeks, a considerable subgroup of people keep experiencing symptoms months to years after the concussion. These persistent post-concussion symptoms, PPCS for short, have a significant impact on daily functioning and quality of life. 

Currently, we don’t fully understand why some people continue to experience these symptoms, nor do we know the most effective ways to treat them. In this village, we will uncover innovative ideas to enhance post-concussion care.  

(Photo: shvets production/Pexels)

Relevant competency

Master's students from all faculties are welcome. We aim for the greatest possible degree of interdisciplinarity in the village. We need input from for instance engineers, psychologists, philosophers, economists, businesspeople, doctors, programmers, artists, (neuro and data) scientists and all kinds of other thinkers and doers. Whatever academic background you come from; you can make a meaningful contribution to this village. The key requirement is a strong interest in and motivation to engage with the village's theme. We seek students who are eager to learn more about themselves and others. 

About the village

In this village, students will collaborate closely across disciplines to tackle the complex challenges of persistent post-concussion symptoms. In order to better understand the challenges and multifaceted nature students can interview patients who suffer from PPCS and consult with scientists and healthcare professionals who specialize in concussion. Furthermore, insights from the DiSCo study (Digital Solutions for Concussion) will be shared. These interactions will allow students to gather valuable perspectives on the latest research, treatment approaches, and the current gaps in care. From these insights, students will develop potential research questions. The possible ideas and proposed solutions can then be tested or piloted, allowing for practical exploration and refinement. 

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