Can Screen Time Help Concussion Recovery in Kids?

To receive AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™, you must receive a minimum score of 75% on the post-test.

1. You are a member of the health care team for a 12-year-old boy with concussion. On the basis of the planned secondary analysis of a prospective longitudinal cohort study by Cairncross and colleagues, which one of the following statements about the association between early screen time and postconcussion symptom severity in children and adolescents with concussion, compared with those with orthopedic injury (OI), is correct?
   The association of screen use during postacute recovery with cognitive or somatic symptoms was stronger in the postconcussive group vs the OI group
   The more screen time, the stronger the association with postconcussive symptoms
   High screen time 7 to 10 days postinjury was not strongly associated with worse symptoms after concussion, especially 30 or more days postinjury
   Screen time accounted for one third of total predictive ability for symptom severity
2. According to the planned secondary analysis of a prospective longitudinal cohort study by Cairncross and colleagues, which one of the following statements about the clinical implications of the association between early screen time and postconcussion symptom severity in children and adolescents with concussion, compared with those with OI, is correct?
   The best strategy for clinical management is blanket restrictions in screen time
   Complete bed rest in a dark room for 3 days after concussion hastens recovery
   The study proves that active use of screen time (eg, texting) is less harmful than passive use (eg, television watching)
   Moderate screen time may allow social connection and help prevent loneliness leading to depression, which may prolong postconcussive recovery