Sleep and fatigue following traumatic brain injury

Jennie L Ponsford; Kelly L Sinclair

doi:10.1016/j.psc.2013.10.001

Sleep and fatigue following traumatic brain injury

Psychiatr Clin North Am. 2014 Mar;37(1):77-89. doi: 10.1016/j.psc.2013.10.001. Epub 2014 Jan 10.

Authors

Jennie L Ponsford¹, Kelly L Sinclair²

Affiliations

¹ School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Australia. Electronic address: jennie.ponsford@monash.edu.
² School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia; Monash-Epworth Rehabilitation Research Centre, Epworth Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.

PMID: 24529424
DOI: 10.1016/j.psc.2013.10.001

Abstract

This article reviews literature relating to sleep disturbance and fatigue after traumatic brain injury. It discusses the nature and prevalence of sleep disturbances associated with traumatic brain injury and the measures used to assess them. Potential causes are discussed, including damage to sleep-wake regulating centers, disruption of circadian timing of sleep, and secondary causes, such as pain, depression, and anxiety. The nature and assessment of fatigue are discussed, followed by a review of evidence regarding causes. Evidence is reviewed of the consequences of sleep disturbance and fatigue. Potential treatments of nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic natures are reviewed.

Keywords: Attention; Depression; Fatigue; Sleep disturbance; Traumatic brain injury; Treatment.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Attention
Brain Injuries / complications*
Chronic Disease
Depression / complications
Fatigue / diagnosis
Fatigue / etiology*
Humans
Severity of Illness Index
Sleep Wake Disorders / diagnosis
Sleep Wake Disorders / etiology*
Sleep Wake Disorders / therapy