Effectiveness of Cognitive FX Treatment for Long-term Concussion Complaints: Research Findings and Next Steps

Over the past two years, research has been conducted into the effectiveness of the much-discussed Cognitive FX treatment from America

There is no evidence yet for the effectiveness of an American treatment for long-term complaints after a concussion. Patients experience fewer complaints. But it is not yet clear how this happens.

Over the past two years, research has been conducted into the effectiveness of the much-discussed Cognitive FX treatment from America. Researchers from the Applied Health Research department of the UMCG conducted this research together with neuroscientists from Amsterdam UMC. The results of this first study also do not provide direct evidence for the effectiveness of the treatment.

Cognitive FX treatment as a last resort
Cognitive FX is a treatment for long-term complaints after a concussion. Hundreds of patients every year see this costly American treatment, given in Utah, as a last resort. The costs can amount to €20,000 per treatment. Health insurers do not reimburse this. This is because scientific evidence about the effectiveness of the treatment is lacking.

Long-term complaints after concussion
In 2021, 82,700 people were known to their GP with a concussion. Of these, 82% were younger than 65 years. In most cases, people recover from a concussion within a few weeks. However, in 10 to 30 percent of cases, people suffer from serious long-term complaints. These persistent symptoms of a concussion are often invisible to the patient’s environment. They range from headaches, dizziness, nausea, (over)sensitivity to stimuli to problems with concentration and memory.

Followed 64 patients on treatment in Utah
The researchers followed 64 patients before, during and after treatment in Utah. The patients traveled to Utah on their own and paid for the treatment themselves. They indicated how they felt via questionnaires and performed various tests before and after the treatment. The researchers also examined whether there are differences between patients and studied brain scans made of the participants during treatment. They also consulted the founders of the CFX treatment, a group of experts in the field of concussions and a group of patients who have undergone the CFX treatment. In this way, they gained new insights into the most important characteristics of the treatment, how the treatment can possibly help people to feel better and the changes observed by patients.

Positive patient experiences…
After treatment, 69% of patients indicated that they had fewer complaints. They also indicated that they suffered less from anxiety, depression, fatigue and sleep problems. The researchers saw improvements in tests for dizziness and in their cognitive performance. Six months after the treatments, the improvements were still present, and patients also reported a higher level of social participation. They were not more active in school, study or work.

…but how that happens remains unknown
Rimke Groenewold is one of the UMCG staff who was involved in this research. ‘It is good news that so many patients feel better after treatment. At the same time, we don’t yet know why they feel better. We do not yet know which elements and processes of the treatment lead to the changes found. The results of our study are therefore not direct evidence for the effectiveness of the treatment. We therefore cannot yet advise patients on whether or not to travel to Utah for the CFX treatment.’

Follow-up research into the effect is necessary
According to researcher Annemieke Visser, this was an essential first study: “The results of this study are very important for people who suffer from long-term consequences of a concussion. This is also evident from the conversations we have with various patient associations. We therefore argue for further research. We want to check the effectiveness of specific parts of the treatment. It can then become clear whether the treatment really has added value for Dutch healthcare.”

Bron: UMCG

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2023-12-11 09:00:47
#evidence #muchdiscussed #treatment #concussion #effective