Mobile Phone App Tracks Concussion Recovery

By HospiMedica International staff writers
Posted on 08 Nov 2012

A new mobile phone application (app) helps concussion patients track their activities and symptoms and share information with their healthcare team.

The Return2Play app, developed at the University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, USA), C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital (Ann Arbor, MI, USA), and Michigan NeuroSport (Ann Arbor, MI, USA), allows users to enter the date and details of injuries. As the athlete progresses through recovery, under the direction of a physician, he or she can enter activities, symptoms and their severity, and notes along the way. Users can also e-mail a recovery progress history (in chronological order) to a physician, trainer, or coach, as well as directly enter appointment dates and take notes in the app.

Image: Screenshot of The Return2Play app (Photo courtesy of the University of Michigan).

“Here at U-M and Michigan NeuroSport, we know education is crucial and there’s a real team effort needed to recognize and react to sports-related concussions,” said Jeffrey Kutcher, MD, associate professor of neurology and the director of Michigan NeuroSport. “The new app is our attempt to enhance the clinical experience by tracking the important details of concussion recovery that will lead to better management of this injury. Proper recovery involves a step-by-step gradual process. We hope to raise awareness of that process through the use of this app.”

“Return2Play was designed with the patient and healthcare team in mind. Our goal is to create a more efficient clinic appointment that leads to better management of the injury and safe return to play decisions,” said Amy Teddy, Injury Prevention Program Manager at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. “This allows for a more streamlined, efficient clinic visit by eliminating the need for recollection of the injury details, signs, and symptoms. It also provides a learning section that provides quick access to education and tips about concussion.”

The Return2Play app is designed for the apple iPhone and is available for download on iTunes.

Related Links:
Return2Play app
University of Michigan
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital