Inova Sports Medicine Concussion Program
young girl soccer player getting a concussion screening

Inova Sports Medicine Concussion Research Program
 Advancing concussion understanding and treatment

The Inova Sports Medicine Concussion Program conducts research that directly informs our clinical care model. Our overarching mission is to conduct clinical research that advances the education, assessment, management and treatment of concussion.

Since 2017, members of our team have been on the forefront of research locally and nationally.

Learn more about our 2022 research accomplishments (PDF)

Concussion Research Program Highlights

  • We have collectively published more than 200 peer-reviewed research articles.
  • Our experts have presented more than 350 presentations on this injury and are recognized as national/international leaders in concussion research.
  • The Inova Sports Medicine Concussion Program boasts one of the largest patient research registries in the country, with more than 2,000 patients enrolled and counting.
  • Our research team has secured more than $500,000 in grants and donations to expand our efforts to advance the field of concussion research.

Support our research

Our research is supported by grants, foundations and patient donations.

Support our research 

(Select gift designation 21. Inova Orthopedics and Sports Medicine and write concussion in additional comments)

2025-2027 Inova Sports Medicine

Clinical Research Team: Research-active clinicians and staff

Melissa Womble, PhD
Melissa Womble, PhD
Sabrina Jennings, PhD
Sabrina Jennings, PhD

Current research activity

We have several ongoing research projects that include the following:

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A randomized, controlled trial of the efficacy of targeted treatments for concussion clinical profiles/subtypes in patients with chronic concussion.

man looking at smartphone

A first-of-its-kind study that is using patients’ smartphones to capture symptomatic and cognitive responses to environmental stimuli that occur in everyday life following concussion.

doctor writing on chart

An investigation of the effect of a clinical reassurance intervention for patients with concussion who are discharged from the emergency room. This project is positioned to improve care and fill a patient-education gap as patients await care at the concussion clinic following ER discharge.

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Clinical research collaborations

We partner with several clinical research programs and scientists located across the country. These partnerships and collaborations enable us to conduct multisite research in diverse patient populations. The knowledge we gain from these multisite projects is used to further advance our patient-centered approach to concussion clinical care.

Our current collaborators include:
University of Pittsburgh Medical Center University of Arkansas Office for Sport Concussion Research Saint Joseph’s University Penn State University