Moderate screen time in first 3 days after concussion linked to teens' faster recovery
· Medical Xpressedited by Sadie Harley, reviewed by Andrew Zinin
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Moderate screen time in the first three days after concussion is linked to faster recovery, with an average 141 minutes of daily use speeding symptom resolution by 35%, according to a study of 80 concussed teens published online in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. Recovery above or below this level seems to be slower, the findings suggest, prompting the researchers to conclude that rather than total avoidance, a balanced level of use may be helpful.
Prolonged or intense use of smartphones, computers/tablets, TV and gaming may cause eye strain, cognitive overload and sleep disruption, potentially worsening the symptoms of concussion, the researchers note.
And the limited research that has been published suggests that avoiding screen time for the first 48 hours may help shorten the recovery period by several days. But these studies have relied on self-report and have tended not to differentiate screen types, they add.
To provide more objective and granular detail on the effect of screen time on recovery, the researchers analyzed data from a study of 80 concussed 11- to 17-year-olds who were enrolled within 72 hours of their injury.
The teens were monitored until their symptoms cleared up, or for 45 days, whichever came first. Symptom resolution was determined from daily completed Post-Concussion Symptom Scale surveys and confirmed by a certified athletic trainer or doctor.
Cognitive activity over the first seven days after the injury was monitored using a wearable camera that automatically captured high-resolution images every 30 seconds. Cognitive activity included listening to music, watching TV, texting, using a computer/tablet, gaming, socializing, studying and driving.
For the current study, the researchers focused on four types of screen time activity: smartphone use, watching TV, computer/tablet use and gaming, including on video and handheld devices.
Average screen time rose in tandem with symptom severity. During the first week after injury, it averaged 358.4 minutes a day. Smartphone use was the most common, at 224.4 minutes a day, followed by watching TV at 203.5 minutes, computer/tablet use at 112.8 minutes and gaming at 59.7 minutes.
After adjusting for potentially influential factors, an average screen time of 141 minutes a day during the first three days after a concussion was associated with a 35% faster rate of symptom resolution than an average of 260 minutes a day.
Further exploratory analyses indicated that symptoms cleared up faster among those spending 120–240 minutes a day on screens than among those spending less than 120 minutes a day or more than 240 minutes a day.
Specifically, symptom resolution was more than twice as fast among teens clocking 120–240 minutes a day of screen time than among those clocking less than 120 minutes a day, and 1.5 times as fast among those clocking more than 240 minutes a day.
When assessed by screen type, symptoms cleared up more than twice as fast among teens who averaged 120–240 daily minutes of smartphone use than among those using their smartphones for fewer than 120 minutes a day or more than 240 minutes a day.
Similarly, symptoms resolved three times as fast among those watching TV for 60–120 minutes a day than among those watching it for more than 120 minutes a day.
Computer/tablet use and gaming, however, were not significantly associated with faster recovery.
This is an observational study, and as such, no firm conclusions can be drawn about cause and effect, in addition to which the researchers highlight various limitations to their findings.
For example, the sample size was small, and the content of screen time, screen brightness, resolution, color settings, the use of blue-light-blocking glasses, and participants' cognitive engagement were not measured, all of which may affect recovery.
Nor was screen use during school hours recorded, and while total daily screen time was measured, its timing was not.
"While our findings add to the limited evidence on screen time and acute concussion recovery in youth, standardized definitions, uniform measurement, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are needed. Further research should also explore the context and content of screen use to better understand its impact on concussion recovery in youth," the researchers emphasize.
But they nevertheless conclude: "Rather than advising complete screen avoidance, clinicians may consider recommending a daily screen time target of about 141 minutes to support recovery."
Publication details
Post-concussion screen time duration and type and its association with symptom resolution in youth aged 11–17 years, British Journal of Sports Medicine (2026). DOI: 10.1136/bjsports-2025-110310
Journal information: British Journal of Sports Medicine
Key medical concepts
ConcussionScreen TimeRandomized Controlled Trial
Clinical categories
NeurologyChildren's healthSports medicinePediatrics Provided by British Medical Journal Who's behind this story?
Sadie Harley
BSc Life Sciences & Ecology. Microbiology lab background with pharmaceutical news experience in oil, gas, and renewable industries. Full profile →
Andrew Zinin
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