High Dose Omega-3 Fatty Acids in the Treatment of Sport Related Concussions
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2017-07-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
Concussions are defined as a complex pathophysiological process affecting the brain, induced
by traumatic biomechanical forces. Currently the standard of care in the treatment for
concussions is cognitive and physical rest until symptoms resolve with a graduated return to
activity. High dose omega-3 fatty acids have shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant,
and membrane stabilizing properties. They have also been used in treatment of severe
traumatic brain injury. The purpose of this study is to determine if early high dose omega-3
fatty acid supplementation in Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
athletes that have sustained a concussion will decrease the number of days out of competitive
sports with a quicker symptom resolution, return to baseline neurocognitive functioning and
postural stability using a randomized double blind placebo controlled study design. Once an
athlete is identified as having sustained a concussion by the East Carolina University Sports
Medicine staff and qualifies for the study, he/she will randomly be assigned to either high
dose omega-3 fatty acid or placebo. Both groups will undergo standard and usual care for
concussed athletes at East Carolina University. The number of days it takes the athlete to
return to competitive athletics will be recorded, along with time to symptom resolution,
normalization of their computerized neurocognitive testing (ImPact) and computerized postural
stability testing (Biodex BioSway).