In Australia, about 180,000 cases of mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly known as concussion, are reported each year. While many individuals recover in a month or less, some continue to experience symptoms long after the injury.
Jemma Keeves, a Research Fellow at Curtin University and the Perren Institute, is part of a team of more than 100 researchers collaborating with 50 partner organisations on the Australian mTBI Study on concussion recovery.
"Persistent concussion symptoms can be significantly debilitating for individuals, their families, relationships, their work, and day-to-day living," Dr Keeves said.
Symptoms of concussion vary but commonly include headaches, sensitivity to light and noise, nausea, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
“We’re trying to better understand why some people develop persistent post-concussion symptoms,” Dr Keeves said.
“Most individuals with a concussion recover within a month, but about 30% continue to experience symptoms beyond the typical four-to-six-week recovery period.”
The goal of the study is to identify those at greater risk of prolonged symptoms and target early treatment to improve long-term outcomes.
Anyone who has had a concussion within the previous 14 days can participate in the study by downloading the HeadCheck app and selecting ‘Concussion recovery’. The app asks users to report their symptoms and provides access to a personalised 28-day recovery program.
“The app may suggest going for a gentle walk and ask if that worsens symptoms,” Dr Keeves said.
“If the symptoms don’t worsen, the user progresses to a more challenging task the next day, gradually increasing the level of exertion to help them return to their previous activity level without experiencing symptoms.”
Dr Keeves said much of the previous research into concussion had focused on injuries sustained during sports while this study is more focused on the general population.
“The biggest causes of concussion in the community are falls and motor vehicle accidents,” she said.
“We're trying to better understand what those predictive factors look like across the wider community from all types of causes of concussion.”
The study is scheduled to run until mid-2026, and the HeadCheck app is available for free download from the App Store or GooglePlay.
Screenshot of the health check app
