Inova-led study finds positive long-term health outcomes in concussion patients treated with clinical-profiles-informed care

Fairfax, VA – A new study, co-led by Inova Sports Medicine, offers encouraging news for people recovering from concussion. Published in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation, the study found that 85% of concussion patients who received clinical-profiles-informed care reported favorable long-term health-related quality of life scores one to six years after injury.

Clinical-profiles-informed care is a modern, precision-based model that represents a significant shift from older, passive, rest-based concussion treatment. The approach matches each patient’s specific symptom profile with targeted, active therapies, resulting in more individualized and effective care.

The study, co-led by Melissa Womble, PhD, Director of the Inova Sports Medicine Concussion Program, followed 125 former concussion patients who were treated using clinical-profiles-informed care and examined health-related quality of life and recovery perceptions one to six years after patients had been medically cleared. The study is the first of its kind to track patients for several years after concussion treatment is complete.

“This study answers a question I hear from my patients every day: ‘What does life look like for me after a concussion?’” said Dr. Womble. “Patients read alarming stories in the media and worry about long-term effects. But many of those reports focus on people with repeated head trauma or those who never received the kind of care we provide today. Clinical care has evolved, and this study reflects that.”

The study addresses a key knowledge gap in concussion research, according to R.J. Elbin, PhD, Director of the Office for Sport Concussion Research at the University of Arkansas, who co-led the study with Dr. Womble. “Most studies on quality of life after concussion rely on retrospective, self-reported data with no context for the type of care received. But concussion care, rules, equipment and clinical knowledge have evolved significantly. We need to study outcomes in patients treated with contemporary models like clinical-profiles-informed care,” Dr. Elbin said.

Key findings

 The study found that:

• 85% of former patients had health-related quality of life scores within normal limits compared to U.S. population norms
• 83% reported still feeling fully recovered from their injuries
• The 15% of patients with below-normal health-related quality of life scores were significantly more likely to have experienced a major life stressor in the past year (e.g., divorce, job loss, death of a loved one) or to have a history of anxiety or depression
• The patients with below-normal health-related quality of life scores did not have more severe concussions or more complicated recoveries

“The data suggest that concussion was not contributing to ongoing difficulties. Rather, it was life circumstances and mental health histories that stood out as factors that were contributing to lower-than-expected quality of life,” Dr. Elbin noted.

While the study’s findings are promising, the researchers note that the current study is descriptive rather than comparative.

“While the study didn’t directly compare outcomes across treatment models, understanding what type of care patients receive will be key as the field of concussion care continues to evolve,” Dr. Elbin explained. “Future research should continue to track treatment approaches to identify which models lead to the best long-term outcomes.”

More about clinical-profiles-informed care – a modern approach to concussion recovery

Clinical-profiles-informed care involves comprehensive evaluation of a patient’s symptoms, health history and performance on cognitive, vestibular, emotional and visual tests. Based on this assessment, providers match each patient’s concussion-related deficits and symptoms to a specific clinical profile, giving providers tools for the development and initiation of targeted treatment plans.

Dr. Womble emphasized the importance of these findings for patients. “It should give patients hope, and more importantly, perspective,” she said. “It’s powerful to know that the majority of individuals who received this kind of care are doing well years later. Active, individualized treatment exists, and it works.”

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About Inova    

We are Inova, Northern Virginia and the Washington, DC, metropolitan area’s leading nonprofit healthcare provider. With expertise and compassion, we partner with our patients to help them stay healthy. We treat illness, heal injury and look at a patient’s whole health to help them flourish. Through our expansive network of hospitals, primary and specialty care practices, emergency and urgent care centers, and outpatient services, Inova provides care for more than 1 million unique patients every year. Total patient visits exceed 4 million annually, demonstrating our ability to deliver the best clinical care and ensuring a seamless experience for all who rely on us for their healthcare needs.

Consistently ranked and recognized as a national healthcare leader in safety, quality and patient experience, Inova’s world-class care is made possible by the strength and breadth of our network, our 25,000 team members, our technology, and our innovation. In 2025, Inova was named the Health System of the Year by Press Ganey, a national leader in healthcare experience, recognizing our excellence in patient care, team member engagement and commitment to continuous improvement.

Inova is home to Northern Virginia’s only Level 1 Trauma Center and Level 4 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and provides high-quality healthcare to each person in every community we are privileged to serve – regardless of ability to pay – every day of their life. More information about Inova can be found at Inova.org.