An Observational Pilot Study of Compliance with a Naturopathic Concussion Protocol in Female Youth Volleyball Athletes and Return-to-Play Time

Overview & Synopsis

Purpose: Concussions are a form of traumatic brain injury frequently observed in youth sports, with variable recovery patterns. Integrative medicine, including naturopathic care, has gained interest as a supportive approach, though limited research exists on compliance with such protocols. To evaluate compliance with a naturopathic concussion protocol and assess its relationship to return-to-play timelines among youth female volleyball athletes.Methods: This observational pilot study was conducted at the 2023 Emerald City Classic volleyball tournament. Athletes aged 14–18 diagnosed with concussion by licensed naturopathic physicians were enrolled. Participants received a naturopathic concussion protocol including supplements (e.g., vitamin D, N-acetylcysteine), lifestyle and dietary modifications, and structured return-to-play guidelines. Follow-up spanned up to six weeks. Assessment tools included Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-5, symptom severity scoring, and physical/cognitive exams.Results: Six concussions were evaluated; three athletes met inclusion criteria and were enrolled. All three were diagnosed with mild concussion and demonstrated improvement in acute symptoms after initial naturopathic care. Symptom severity scores ranged from 37 to 51 out of 132. However, none of the participants completed follow-up after the event.Conclusion: The naturopathic concussion protocol was feasible in an acute sports setting and demonstrated short-term benefit. However, loss to follow-up hindered evaluation of long-term compliance and outcomes. Future studies should incorporate improved follow-up strategies to assess sustained adherence and clinical efficacy.