Journal Of Neurotrauma Highlights Ground-Breaking Concussion Recovery System PolarCap
The Journal of Neurotrauma, the leading journal for reporting on latest advances in both the clinical and laboratory trials in the field of traumatic brain and spinal cord injury, has released a study outlining the effect of head and neck cooling device PolarCap on reducing recovery time for athletes who have experienced brain trauma.
The study, titled: ‘Shorter recovery time in concussed elite ice hockey players by early head-and neck cooling – a clinical trial’, can be accessed here.
During the study, athletes who experienced concussion were treated with the PolarCap, a concussion recovery system with a patented Headcap, and created by Swedish Medical device company PolarCool, who specialise in the treatment of concussive and sub-concussive brain injury.
PolarCap is designed to reduce exercise-induced elevated brain temperature to prevent or limit long term cognitive impairment after brain trauma.
Results from the study show that treated athletes returned to play significantly sooner when using PolarCap, as well as showing an immediate relief of symptoms. Most interestingly, the study also found that long-term absence (three weeks or more) was greatly reduced among treated players, by almost 80 percent.
The results included 132 cases of confirmed concussions, of which 61 were treated with the PolarCap System. The median return to play for treated players was nine days, compared to 13 days for the control group.
The proportion of players who did not return to play after three weeks was 30 percent among non-treated players, compared to seven percent among treated players, a difference of almost 80 percent in favour of the PolarCap treated group.
PolarCap Product Video.mp4 from PolarCool on Vimeo.
PolarCool’s CEO Erik Andersson, said: “The result from the 5-year clinical trial by Lund University is gratifying. Being able to improve recovery after concussion, which the published result clearly shows, and reduce the risk of long-term consequences is very positive for athletes who may suffer a concussion.”
Due to the positive results shown in the study for the SHL (Swedish Ice Hockey League) has formed a partnership with PolarCool, which ensures that a PolarCap is available at every arena in order to treat concussions.
Ice Hockey is not the only place in sport where the benefits of PolarCap have had the chance to shine. In Rugby, PolarCool are partnered with leading clubs including Racing 92, Stade Francais, London Irish and Scarlets Rugby.
PolarCool has most recently made waves in football by forming a partnership with the Football Association of Wales (FAW).
During one of Wales’ World Cup group matches, a Welsh player suffered a concussion after a speculative shot was blocked with the top of their head.
The player was subsequently treated using PolarCap thanks to the ongoing partnership between the FAW and PolarCool.
After Wales ran on-pitch tests, adhering to FIFA’s guidelines, the player was initially passed to play on before being subbed off 12 minutes later.
The player was then treated with PolarCap for the recommended time of 45 minutes to help reduce his elevated brain temperature and therefore relieve symptoms and potential long-term effects.
This partnership for PolarCool is another progressive step towards improved treatment of concussion incidents in football, an area of the game that has been under heavy scrutiny in recent years.
Andersson, added: “Concussion awareness is ever-increasing in sports such as Rugby, Ice Hockey and Football. There is a demand to put players first and improve how concussions are managed and treated, and that’s where we see PolarCap fitting right in.”
