Cervico-vestibular Rehabilitation for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

The intervention will consist of light cognitive and physical activity with no symptoms exacerbation followed by graded exertion. Participant will be evaluated by a neuropsychologist. The neuropsychological intervention will consist of advice relative to cognitive rest in line with the clinical evaluation results followed by an individualized step-by-step graded exposition to cognitive stimulus according to symptoms evolution. A kinesiologist will also evaluate the symptoms response to cardio-vascular exertion. According to the result of this clinical evaluation, a graded physical exercise program will be given to the participants. 8 in-clinic cardio-vascular exercise sessions in a 6-week period supervised by the kinesiologist (30 to 45 minutes each session) will be provided.

The same advice and exercise program than the active comparator group will be provided. However, 2 physiotherapists will provide 8 treatment session ( 30 to 45 minutes). One physiotherapist will initially evaluate the physical dysfunctions associated to mTBI with a standardized evaluation to build the treatment plan. He will provide cervical manual therapy and therapeutic exercises based on the best current clinical approach and according to the impairment specifically found initially. A vestibular physiotherapist will provide treatment of canalith repositioning manoeuvre, vestibular adaptation, ocular motor exercises, balance and/or habituation exercises. This treatment will be adapted to the individual patient. No more than 8 sessions will be delivered.