According to research published this week in Neurology, athletes who suffer from aches and pains that have no known physical cause recover from concussion slower. The researchers hope that the findings will help improve outcomes for those more prone to longer recovery times.

Share on Pinterest New research shows that psychosomatic complaints might influence concussion recovery times.

After motor vehicle crashes, sports injuries are the second leading cause of traumatic brain injury among people aged 15-24.

Approximately 300,000 traumatic brain injuries occur in the US each year, the vast majority of which are concussions.

Such a common and potentially life-changing injury has attracted a great deal of scientific research. Despite this, the recovery and prognosis of concussion patients still hold a number of mysteries.

Recovery times vary widely, from days to weeks, or even months. Some factors are known to influence the length of recovery, including age, health prior to injury, how severe the injury was and how well the individual takes care of themselves following the concussion.

Symptoms can range from feeling dizzy and tired through to more intrusive psychological changes that can cause the individual to become withdrawn and be more easily upset or confused.

As it stands, the recommended course of action to promote a quick recovery includes getting as much rest and sleep as possible and avoiding mentally and physically challenging situations. Reaction times might be slower, so driving and operating machinery is not recommended; also, alcohol is thought to slow the rate of healing, so it should be generally avoided.