Study Explores the Link Between Concussion and Sleep Quality

Overview of Traumatic Brain Injuries

In 2018, approximately 69 million individuals worldwide were reported to have experienced traumatic brain injuries, with a significant concentration in lower and middle-income countries. Mild traumatic brain injuries, often identified as concussions, commonly result from falls, traffic accidents, and violence. Symptoms associated with concussions include headaches, nausea, dizziness, emotional distress, fatigue, and notably, sleep disturbances. While many patients recover from these symptoms within a few months, some may face prolonged sleep-related issues.

Research Focus

Despite the prevalence of sleep problems linked to concussions, there has been limited research specifically addressing the connection between concussion and sleep disturbances. To further investigate this relationship, researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology conducted a study, the findings of which were published in the Journal of Neurotrauma.

Study Design and Methodology

The study focused on patients who experienced a concussion between April 1, 2014, and December 5, 2015. Participants were aged between 16 and 60 and had no prior history of concussions. They were compared with a control group of individuals who sustained orthopedic injuries without head trauma from April 1, 2015, to December 1, 2017, as well as a cohort of hospital employees, family members, and students.

Assessments of the concussed patients were conducted four times: within three days of the injury, followed by evaluations at two weeks, three months, and twelve months post-injury. During the initial visit, researchers collected personal data, conducted interviews regarding the circumstances of the concussion, and performed MRI scans of the injuries.

Data Collection on Sleep Quality

At each follow-up visit, patients were interviewed about their sleep quality, focusing on factors such as increased sleep need, poor sleep quality, excessive daytime sleepiness, and fatigue. Researchers compared the patients’ sleep patterns before and after the concussion. Patients rated their sleep quality on a 5-point scale and completed brain maps to indicate areas of pain. Additionally, the severity of fatigue was evaluated using a 7-point scale.

Findings and Implications

Statistical analysis revealed that sleep disorders and fatigue are prevalent in the first year following a concussion. Participants who experienced concussions reported a greater need for sleep, poorer sleep quality, and increased daytime sleepiness compared to those with orthopedic injuries. Notably, 53% of concussed patients experienced sleep and fatigue problems for three months or longer.

The findings from this research aim to enhance doctors’ understanding of the relationship between concussion and sleep disorders, differentiating them from other conditions. Dr. Alexander Olsen, an associate professor in the Department of Psychology and neuropsychologist at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic at St. Olavs Hospital, emphasized that the results will enable healthcare providers to offer more personalized follow-up and treatment plans for concussion patients.

References

1. Dewan M, Rattani A, Gupta S et al. Estimating the global incidence of traumatic brain injury. J Neurosurg. 2019;130(4):1080-1097. doi:10.3171/2017.10.jns17352
2. Saksvik S, Karaliute M, Kallestad H et al. The Prevalence and Stability of Sleep-Wake Disturbance and Fatigue throughout the First Year after Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. J Neurotrauma. 2020. doi:10.1089/neu.2019.6898