Mild traumatic brain injury: Insomnia or sleepiness

Abstract

Introduction: Sleep disorders caused by TBI are considered serious post-injury consequences and barriers to recovery. These disorders can last for years and disrupt the quality of life. Therefore, the present study investigated insomnia, its severity, and sleepiness in patients with Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Method: The present descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2022. A total of 329 patients with diagnosed mTBI, were examined at 2 weeks, 3, 6, and 12 months after the injury. The demographic information and medical history, pain, and Injury Severity Scores were questioned. Furthermore, the Insomnia Severity Index, Athens Insomnia Scale, and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale were used to diagnose insomnia, its severity, and sleepiness. Results: In all 4 periods, insomnia had a significant difference with sleepiness (P < 0.05) in a way that patients with mTBI had higher insomnia than sleepiness. The mean score of insomnia increased 12 months after mTBI compared to 2 weeks after, indicating the increase in patients' insomnia over time (P < 0.05). The mean sleepiness score decreased12 months after mTBI compared to 2 weeks after, indicating a decrease in sleepiness over time in the patients. There was a statistically significant difference between sleepiness in the 12th month with the 6th, 3rd, and 2nd weeks (P < 0.05). There were also significant and direct relationships between the mean scores of pain and AIS and between the mean scores of ISS and AIS (P < 0.05). Discussion: The treatment of sleep disorders after mTBI should be considered a common problem and the necessary solutions should be provided during the patient's discharge.

Keywords

• Mild traumatic brain injury
• Insomnia
• Sleepiness