Sleep in traumatic brain injury

Sleep disturbances affect more than half of survivors of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and have the potential to undermine rehabilitation, recovery, and outcomes. Normal sleep architecture has been well-described and the neurophysiology of sleep is becoming better understood in recent years, though this complex process continues to be dissected for better appreciation. There are numerous types of sleep disorder, most of which fall under two categories: dyssomnias and parasomnias. In more challenging scenarios patients may be plagued with more than one dyssomnia and/or parasomnia simultaneously, complicating the diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Objective and subjective methods are used to evaluate sleep disorders and help distinguish them from psychiatric and environmental contributors to poor sleep. There are several pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments options for sleep disturbances after TBI, many of which have been particularly helpful in restoring adequate quantity and quality of sleep for survivors. However, to date no consensus has been established regarding how to treat this entity, and it may be that a multimodal approach is ultimately best.