Researchers from the University of Michigan Pediatric Trauma Program and its Michigan NeuroSport program have created a mobile phone app that aims to help concussion patients track their activities and symptoms. The app, called Return2Play, will allow athletes who suffer concussions to enter the date and details of their injury, and the it helps them track through recovery.

Return2Play, which costs 99 cents on Apple’s App Store, allows concussion patients to enter activities, symptoms and their severity, and take notes as they recover. Users can enter appointment dates right in the app as well. It also allows users to email a recovery progress history in chronological order to a physician, trainer, or coach.

“Return2Play was designed with the patient and healthcare team in mind. Our goal is to create a more efficient clinic appointment that leads to better management of the injury and safe return to play decisions,” Amy Teddy, injury prevention program manager at University of Michigan’s C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital. “This allows for a more streamlined, efficient clinic visit by eliminating the need for recollection of the injury details, signs and symptoms.  It also provides a learning section that provides quick access to education and tips about concussion.” 

In addition, the Pediatric Trauma Program at Mott Children’s Hospital and Michigan NeuroSport have created a series of online educational courses for coaches and parents on concussions. The 20-minute videos are free at Michigan NeuroSport’s website.

“Here at U-M and Michigan NeuroSport, we know education is crucial and there’s a real team effort needed to recognize and react to sports-related concussions. The new app is our attempt to enhance the clinical experience by tracking the important details of concussion recovery that will lead to better management of this injury. Proper recovery involves a step-by-step gradual process. We hope to raise awareness of that process through the use of this app,” Jeffrey Kutcher, M.D., associate professor of neurology and the director of Michigan NeuroSport, said in a statement.