Concussion Research
Understanding concussion recovery in young people
Our research goals
- Transform concussion treatment: We focus on redefining treatment for children and adolescents by identifying the most effective methods to accelerate and support recovery.
- Recovery insights: Our research aims to deepen the understanding of how young people recover from concussions.
- Biomarker identification: We seek to identify biomarkers, such as brain imaging and blood proteins, and risk factors that contribute to prolonged concussion recovery.
- Enhanced access to evidence-based management: We seek to improve access for parents and communities to evidence-based concussion management strategies.
More information
- Concussion Essentials (HeadCheck) app: Access our comprehensive app for concussion management.
- Concussion Podcasts: Listen to our latest podcasts on concussion research and recovery.
- A-Z Concussion: Explore our detailed A-Z guide on concussion.
Contact us
Get in contact with the Concussion Research team.
Email:
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Group Leaders
Group Members
Our projects
Concussion Essentials Clinic implementation project
This clinical trial evaluates the implementation of concussion interventions within a new paediatric clinical service, the MCRI Concussion Clinic, and assesses clinical outcomes for children and adolescents.
Currently, concussion care in Victoria is fragmented. Families must navigate a complex system and find providers with varying levels of expertise. There is no centralised, evidence-based paediatric concussion clinic available, this trial aims to change that.
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Mental Health following mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Adolescent
This study investigates mental health outcomes and associated factors, such as family environment, social participation, and quality of life, in adolescents following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
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Traumatic Brain Injury Research
Investigating the mental health outcomes in adolescents with mild traumatic brain injury. There are many causes of brain injury, including traffic accidents, sports accidents or lack of oxygen to the brain. This project helps you find out about Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) research that is currently happening on the Melbourne Children's Campus.
Read more...Concussion Essentials (HeadCheck) app
An evidence-based smartphone application, developed in collaboration with the AFL and Curve Tomorrow. Designed using the latest scientific knowledge of concussion, the app provides ready access to current clinical best practices regarding adult and paediatric concussion.
The app includes a sideline assessment tool and provides individually tailored guidance to help users or parents manage a safe return to normal activities (school, study, work, exercise, and sport).
Rehabilitation of Executive Function in Paediatric Traumatic Brain Injury (REPEAT Study)
This study investigated the impact of computer activities and their effectiveness in improving memory and making decisions in children with post-traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBI refers to any damage to the brain acquired as a result of a trauma, such as injuries caused by external forces such as falls, contact sports, and accidents.
Training Attention after Brain Injury in Children
We are interested in understanding whether a game-based attention training program can strengthen attention in children who have experienced an acquired brain injury (ABI). This is a collaboration between The Monash School of Psychological Sciences and the Murdoch Children's Research Institute.
Take CARe Biomarkers
Followed children and adolescents for up to three months post-concussion, examining symptoms, MRI brain imaging, blood biomarkers, cognition (thinking abilities), physical function, parent and child mental health, quality of life, and cost of concussion.
Funding
Thank you to our supporters.
- The Royal Children’s Hospital Foundation
- National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
- Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF)
Featured publications
Anderson V, Davies K, Rausa VC, et al Multimodal symptom-targeted treatment for young people with persisting post-concussion symptoms: a randomised clinical trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine 2026
Crowe L, Rausa V, Anderson V et al. Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Characteristics and Symptoms in Preschool Children: How Do They Differ to School Age Children? A Multicenter Prospective Observational Study, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2023; 105, 120-124
G. A. Davis, F. E. Babl, V. C. Rausa, K. Davies, and V. Anderson, Paediatric Sport-Related Concussion and Hospitalisation in Australia, Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health62, no. 2 (2026): 314–316
Davis, G.A., Anderson, N., Babl, F.E, Anderson, V et al (2025), International Consensus Definition of ‘Sport & Exercise’ in Toddlers and Young Children, Children, and Adolescents. Acta Paediatr, 114: 1653-1659.
Vicki Anderson, Katie Davies, Vanessa C Rausa, Nicholas Anderson, Karen M Barlow, Katherine Bray, Bianca Charles, Gavin A Davis, Kevin Dunne, Fabian Fabiano, Stephen Hearps, Vera Ignjatovic, Audrey McKinlay, Francesca Orsini, Georgia Parkin, Jesse Shapiro, Michael Takagi & Franz E Babl. (2026) Multimodal symptom-targeted treatment for young people with persisting post-concussion symptoms: a randomised clinical trial. British Journal of Sports Medicine 60:12, pages 856-864.
Davis GA, Schneider KJ, Anderson V, Babl FE, Barlow KM, Blauwet CA, Bressan S, Broglio SP, Emery CA, Echemendia RJ, Gagnon I, Gioia GA, Giza CC, Leddy JJ, Master CL, McCrea M, McNamee MJ, Meehan WP 3rd, Purcell L, Putukian M, Moser RS, Takagi M, Yeates KO, Zemek R, Patricios JS. Pediatric Sport-Related Concussion: Recommendations From the Amsterdam Consensus Statement 2023. Pediatrics. 2024 Jan 1;153(1):e2023063489. doi: 10.1542/peds.2023-063489. PMID: 38044802.
Fabiano F, Takagi M, Anderson N, Babl FE, Bressan S, Clarke C, Davies K, Davis GA, Dunne K, Hearps S, Ignjatovic V, Rausa VC, Seal M, Anderson V. Fatigue recovery and connected factors following paediatric concussion. Br J Sports Med. 2024 Jan 3;58(2):59-65. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2023-106894. PMID: 37699656.
Gornall, Alice & Takagi, Michael & Morawakage, Thilanka & Liu, Xiaomin & Anderson, Vicki. (2021). Mental health after paediatric concussion: a systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine. 55. bjsports-2020. 10.1136/bjsports-2020-103548.
Shapiro JS, Takagi M, Silk T, Anderson N, Clarke C, Davis GA, Hearps SJC, Ignjatovic V, Rausa V, Seal ML, Babl FE, Anderson V. No Evidence of a Difference in Susceptibility-Weighted Imaging Lesion Burden or Functional Network Connectivity between Children with Typical and Delayed Recovery Two Weeks Post-Concussion. J Neurotrauma. 2021 Sep 1;38(17):2384-2390. doi: 10.1089/neu.2021.0069. Epub 2021 Jul 30. PMID: 33823646; PMCID: PMC8881952.
Shapiro JS, Hearps S, Rausa VC, Anderson V, Anderson N, Pugh R, Chau T, Clarke C, Davis GA, Fabiano F, Fan F, Parkin GM, Takagi M, Babl FE. Validation of the SCAT5 and Child SCAT5 Word-List Memory Task. J Neurotrauma. 2022 Jan;39(1-2):138-143. doi: 10.1089/neu.2020.7414. Epub 2021 May 10. PMID: 33765839.
Anderson V, Rausa VC, Anderson N, Parkin G, Clarke C, Davies K, McKinlay A, Crichton A, Davis GA, Dalziel K, Dunne K, Barnett P, Hearps SJ, Takagi M, Babl FE. Protocol for a randomised clinical trial of multimodal postconcussion symptom treatment and recovery: the Concussion Essentials study. BMJ Open. 2021 Feb 11;11(2):e041458. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-041458. PMID: 33574145; PMCID: PMC7880104.
Rausa VC, Shapiro J, Seal ML, Davis GA, Anderson V, Babl FE, Veal R, Parkin G, Ryan NP, Takagi M. Neuroimaging in paediatric mild traumatic brain injury: a systematic review. Neurosci Biobehav Rev. 2020 Nov;118:643-653. doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.08.017. Epub 2020 Sep 6. PMID: 32905817.