Sleep difficulties one year following mild traumatic brain injury in a population-based study

• Forty-one per cent of people had sleep difficulties 1 year following a mild brain injury.
• There is a link between sleep and other outcomes following brain injury.
• Sleep quality does not spontaneously recover in many cases after brain injury.

BackgroundSleep quality affects all aspects of daily functioning, and it is vital for facilitating recovery from illness and injury. Sleep commonly becomes disrupted following moderate to severe brain injury, yet little is known about the prevalence of sleep disruption over time and how it impacts on recovery following mild injury.MethodsThis was a longitudinal study of 346 adults who experienced a mild brain injury (aged ≥16 years) identified within a population-based incidence sample in New Zealand. The prevalence of sleep difficulties was assessed at baseline (within two weeks), one, six and 12 months, alongside other key outcomes.ResultsOne year post injury, 41.4% of people were identified as having clinically significant sleep difficulties, with 21.0% at a level indicative of insomnia. Poor sleep quality at baseline was significantly predictive of poorer post-concussion symptoms, mood, community integration, and cognitive ability one year post injury. The prevalence of insomnia following mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) was more than three times the rate found in the general population. Of those completing a sleep assessment at six and 12 months, 44.9% of the sample showed improvements in sleep quality, 16.2% remained stable, and 38.9% worsened.ConclusionsScreening for sleep difficulties should occur routinely following a mild brain injury to identify adults potentially at risk of poor recovery. Interventions to improve sleep are needed to facilitate recovery from injury, and to prevent persistent sleep difficulties emerging.