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Sleep Disturbances Following Traumatic Brain Injury

  • Brain Injury Medicine and Rehabilitation (M Segal, Section Editor)
  • Published:
Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

Sleep disorders are prevalent following TBI and evolve over time. This review will discuss physiologic underpinnings of sleep disturbances, review a structured assessment, and propose management strategies for treating sleep disorders after TBI.

Recent Findings

Sleep disorders after TBI may alter normal sleep regulators and systems such as the glymphatic system, resulting in long-term consequences. Additional means of evaluation of sleep such as wearables and home polysomnography may impact our understanding of prevalence and treatment of sleep after TBI.

Summary

Sleep disturbances are common after TBI and can have significant functional impacts. Although significant progress has been made in studying sleep in the brain-injured population, validated tools and guidelines for sleep management in this population are forthcoming. Accurate and timely identification of sleep disorders is important to optimize long-term outcomes and improve quality of life.

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  1. Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390-9055, USA

    Amy Mathews, Shelby Halsey & Kathleen Bell

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Mathews, A., Halsey, S. & Bell, K. Sleep Disturbances Following Traumatic Brain Injury. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep 10, 193–205 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-022-00351-w

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