A concussion, classified as a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), is a temporary functional disruption of the brain’s processes following a jolt or blow to the head or body. This injury is considered functional because structural damage, such as bleeding or bruising, is not typically visible on standard imaging like CT or MRI scans. Instead, the injury causes a metabolic and neurochemical imbalance that temporarily impairs normal brain function. Managing activities like screen time is crucial immediately following injury, as it can significantly affect the recovery process.
Why Screen Time is Detrimental to Recovery
Screens, including televisions, smartphones, and computers, place a substantial cognitive load on a brain that is actively trying to heal. A concussion disrupts the brain’s ability to process information efficiently, creating a temporary energy crisis. Engaging with screens forces the brain to expend energy on complex tasks like attention control, visual processing, and interpreting rapid changes in visual input.
The visual system is highly taxed by screen use, requiring significant energy. Screens emit bright, flickering backlights and blue light, which can aggravate common post-concussion symptoms like light sensitivity and headaches. Fast-moving images or complex plots demand constant attention and rapid processing, quickly overloading the recovering system. Studies show that patients who abstained from screen time in the first 48 hours had a significantly shorter recovery time—a median of 3.5 days compared to 8 days for those who used screens.
Phased Return to Screen Use Guidelines
Current guidance recommends a brief period of rest, generally for the first 24 to 48 hours, where screen time should be minimized or completely avoided. After this initial period, the return to using devices must be gradual and strictly symptom-driven, dictated by how you feel. Start with brief periods of passive screen use, such as watching a simple, non-stimulating show for 5 to 15 minutes, and immediately stop if symptoms worsen.
As you tolerate short durations, incrementally increase the time spent on screens, ensuring frequent breaks. For cognitively demanding activities, like reading or working on a computer, use accommodations such as lowering the screen brightness, increasing the font size, or utilizing blue light filters or “dark mode” settings. The goal is to find a level of screen use that does not cause a significant increase in symptoms, indicating a successful progression toward normal activity.
Recognizing Exacerbating Symptoms
Monitoring your body’s response is the most important step for managing your return to screen time and other activities. Certain symptoms indicate that your brain is being overtaxed and that you need to reduce your activity level immediately. These warning signs include a worsening headache, increased nausea or dizziness, or heightened sensitivity to light and noise.
Cognitive symptoms, such as feeling mentally foggy, struggling to concentrate, or experiencing slowed thinking, also signal that the cognitive load is too high. If any activity causes a noticeable spike in your symptoms, you should stop and return to the previous level of rest. This symptom-limited approach ensures you avoid prolonging the recovery process by repeatedly stressing the injured brain.
Comprehensive Cognitive and Physical Rest
While screen time is a major concern, concussion recovery requires a broader approach to both cognitive and physical rest. Physical rest means avoiding all strenuous activities, including high-impact sports, heavy lifting, or anything that significantly increases your heart rate or risks another head injury. Engaging in demanding physical exertion too early can divert the energy needed for brain healing and prolong the recovery period.
Cognitive rest extends beyond screens to encompass any mentally taxing task. This includes avoiding schoolwork, complex problem-solving, driving, or returning to a high-stress job too soon. The concept is to minimize the mental effort required, allowing the brain to dedicate its limited energy resources to recovery, though complete isolation is now discouraged in favor of light, symptom-tolerated activities.