Insomnia in the context of traumatic brain injury

J Rehabil Res Dev. 2009;46(6):827-36. doi: 10.1682/jrrd.2008.08.0099.

Abstract

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. One of the most common comorbidities of TBI is the disruption of normal sleep. While often viewed as a nuisance symptom, sleep disruption can delay TBI recovery and negatively affect many of the psychological (e.g., anxiety, depression) and neuromuscular (e.g., pain) sequelae of TBI, decreasing quality of life. Treatment of sleep disruption in the context of TBI is complicated by issues of an altered neuronal milieu, polypharmacy, and the complex relationship between the various comorbidities often found in patients with TBI. Given the growing number of veterans returning from combat with TBI and the elevated risk of comorbid disrupted sleep, both caused by and independent of TBI, a comprehensive review of sleep disruption and its treatment is of great relevance to the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brain Injuries / complications*
  • Brain Injuries / rehabilitation
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy*
  • Humans
  • Hypnotics and Sedatives / therapeutic use
  • Polysomnography
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / complications*
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / drug therapy
  • Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / therapy*
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / complications
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / drug therapy
  • Veterans*

Substances

  • Hypnotics and Sedatives