| Summary: | In general, brain temperatures are elevated during physical sporting activities; therefore, reducing brain
temperature shortly after a sports-related concussion (SRC) could be a promising intervention technique. The
main objective of this study was to examine the effects of head and neck cooling on physiological and cognitive
function in normal healthy volunteers. Twelve healthy volunteers underwent two different sessions of combined
head and neck cooling, one session with a cold pack and one session with a room temperature pack. Physiological
measurements included: systolic/diastolic blood pressure, pulse oximetry, heart rate, and sublingual and
tympanic temperature. Cognitive assessment included: processing speed, executive function, and working
memory tasks. Physiological measurements were taken pre-, mid- and post-cooling, while cognitive assessments
were done before and after cooling. The order of the sessions was randomized. There was a significant decrease
in tympanic temperature across both sessions; however more cooling occurred when the cold pack was in the
device. There was no significant decrease in sublingual temperature across either session. The observed heart
rates, pulse oximetry, systolic and diastolic blood pressure during the sessions were all within range of a normal
healthy adult. Cognitive assessment remained stable across each session for both pre- and post-cooling.
We propose that optimizing brain temperature management after brain injury using head and neck cooling
technology may represent a sensible, practical, and effective strategy to potentially enhance recovery and
perhaps minimize the subsequent short and long term consequences from SRC.
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