Affiliations: [a]
Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
| [b] Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| [c]
Department of Neurology Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA
Correspondence:
[*]
Address for correspondence: Lisa F. Wolfe, 676 N. St Clair St, Arkes Bldg 14 floor, Chicago, IL 60611, USA. Tel.: +1 312 908 8163; Fax: +1 312 695 4741; E-mail: lwolfe@northwestern.edu.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Sleep disorders play a significant role in the care of those with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). OBJECTIVE:To provide a literature review on the interaction of sleep and circadian processes on those with TBI. METHODS:A literature review was conducted on PubMed using the following key words and their combination: “Sleep Apnea”, “Traumatic Brain Injury”, “Circadian”, “Parasomnia”, “Insomnia”, “Hypersomnia”, “Narcolepsy”, and “Restless Legs”. We review the spectrum of traumatic brain injury associated sleep disorders and discuss clinical approaches to diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS:Disordered sleep and wakefulness after TBI is common. Sleep disruption contributes to morbidity, such as the development of neurocognitive and neurobehavioral deficits, and prolongs the recovery phase after injury. Early recognition and correction of these problems may limit the secondary effects of traumatic brain injury and improve neuro recovery/patient outcomes. CONCLUSIONS:A more focused approach to sleep health is appropriate when caring for those with TBI.
