Factors associated with remission of post-traumatic brain injury fatigue in the years following traumatic brain injury (TBI): a TBI model systems module study

Fatigue in patients with acquired brain damage

Fatigue is a complex, multidimensional syndrome that is prevalent in patients with acquired brain damage and has a negative impact on the neurorehabilitation process. It presents from early stages after the injury, and may persist over time, regardless of whether sequelae have resolved. Fatigue is conditioned by upper neuronal circuits, and is defined as an abnormal perception of overexertion. Its prevalence ranges from 29% to 77% after stroke, from 18% to 75% after traumatic brain injury, and from 47% to 97% after brain tumours. Fatigue is associated with factors including female sex, advanced age, dysfunctional families, history of specific health conditions, functional status (eg, fatigue prior to injury), comorbidities, mood, secondary disability, and the use of certain drugs. Assessment of fatigue is fundamentally based on such scales as the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Advances have recently been made in imaging techniques for its diagnosis, such as in functional MRI. Regarding treatment, no specific pharmacological treatment currently exists; however, positive results have been reported for some conventional neurorehabilitation therapies, such as bright light therapy, neurofeedback, electrical stimulation, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. This review aims to assist neurorehabilitation professionals to recognise modifiable factors associated with fatigue and to describe the treatments available to reduce its negative effect on patients.

Fatigue in young patients with acquired brain injury in the outpatient rehabilitation setting: A 2-year follow-up study

Acquired brain injury (ABI) may cause fatigue and participation restrictions in young patients. However, knowledge regarding the course of these problems over time is lacking. This study aims to describe the course of fatigue and participation and their relationship over time in an observational two-year follow-up study among patients(5-24 years) with ABI referred for outpatient rehabilitation and their parents. Patients/parents completed the PedsQL™Multidimensional-Fatigue-Scale(PedsQL™MFS, totalscore/3-domains) and the Child/Adolescent-Scale of Participation(CASP, totalscore/4-domains). Scores ranged from 0-100: lower scores = more fatigue/participation problems. Linear mixed models and repeated measures correlations were used to determine the course over time (change-scores/95%CI) and correlations between fatigue/participation. At baseline, 223 patients/246 parents participated with 94/104 at either T1, T2 or both. Median age was 15 years (IQR:12-17), 74% had a traumatic brain injury. Mean(SD) patient/parent-reported PedsQL™MFS totalscores(baseline) were: 50.3(17.3) and 53.8(19.1), respectively. CASP totalscores were 78.0(16.4) and 87.1(13.6). Over time, patient-reported scores improved significantly (fatigue: + 8.8 (2.9;14.7), p < 0.05)/participation: + 10.5 (6.3;14.7), p < 0.05)). Similar results were found regarding parent-reported fatigue: + 8.7 (3.4;13.9), p < 0.05 but not regarding participation. Two years later, fatigue was still considerable(patients:59.1/parents:62.5). Moderate/fair correlations between fatigue/participation over time were found. Fatigue and participation in young patients with ABI improved two years after referral to rehabilitation. However, fatigue remained a considerable problem.

Traumatic brain injury as a chronic disease: insights from the United States Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems Research Program

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a global health priority, associated with substantial burden. Historically conceptualised as an injury event with finite recovery, TBI is now recognised as a chronic condition that can affect multiple domains of health and function, some of which might deteriorate over time. Many people who have had a TBI remain moderately to severely disabled at 5 years, are rehospitalised up to 10 years post-injury, and have a reduced lifespan relative to the general population. Understanding TBI as a chronic disease process can be highly informative for optimising care, which has traditionally focused on acute care. Chronic brain injury care models must be informed by a holistic understanding of long-term outcomes and the factors that can affect how care needs evolve over time. The United States Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems of Care follows up individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI for over 30 years, allowing characterisation of the chronic (2-30 years or more post injury) functional, cognitive, behavioural, and social sequelae experienced by individuals who have had a moderate-to-severe TBI and the implications for their health and quality of life. Older age, social determinants of health, and lower acute functional status are associated with post-recovery deterioration, while younger age and greater functional independence are associated with risky health behaviours, including substance misuse and re-injury. Systematically collected data on long-term outcomes across multiple domains of health and function are needed worldwide to inform the development of models for chronic disease management, including the proactive surveillance of commonly experienced health and functional challenges.

Rehabilitation for Impaired Attention in the Acute and Post-Acute Phase After Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review

Impaired attention is the most common and debilitating cognitive deficit following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Attention is a fundamental function that profoundly influences the performance of other cognitive components such as memory and execution. Intriguingly, attention can be improved through cognitive rehabilitation. This narrative review summarizes the essential elements of rehabilitation for attention problems in acute and post-acute TBI. In the acute phase of mild TBI, investigations into the medical history and daily life performance, neurological examination, screening and management of concomitant sleep-wake disorders or neuropsychiatric disorders, and support and education on the natural course of concussion are covered. Rehabilitation for patients with moderate-to-severe TBI consists of serial assessment for patients with disorders of consciousness and a post-traumatic confusion state. In the post-acute phase after TBI, components of rehabilitation include investigating medical history; neurological, imaging, and electrophysiological tests; evaluation and treatment of factors that may impact attention, including sleep-wake, emotional, and behavioral disorders; evaluation of attention function; and cognitive rehabilitation as a matter of course. We summarized metacognitive strategy, direct attention training, computer-based cognitive interventions, medication, and environmental control as interventions to enhance attention.

Fatigue in young patients with acquired brain injury in the rehabilitation setting: Categorizing and interpreting fatigue severity levels

PURPOSE

Fatigue in patients with acquired brain injury (ABI) is common. However, to better target fatigue, clear ways to categorize/interpret fatigue-severity in individual patients are lacking. This study aims to determine/categorize fatigue severity among children, adolescents, and young adults with ABI.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included young patients admitted to outpatient rehabilitation and their parents. To determine fatigue, the PedsQL™Multidimensional-Fatigue-Scale was used (MFS, scores 0-100, lower scores = higher fatigue, patient-/parent-reported). Based on scores from a reference population, four categories were formed: "1 = no/little fatigued" to "4 = severely-more fatigued."

RESULTS

All scores were lower than those from the reference population, with comparisons in the adolescent and young adult groups reaching statistical significance (p < .05). The proportions of patients in category 4 were: 9%/50%/58% among children/adolescents/young adults, showing that many patients were "severely-more fatigued"-than the reference population.

CONCLUSIONS

Measuring fatigue and categorizing fatigue severity looks promising for clinical practice and could help to better target fatigue.

Military Injuries-Understanding Posttraumatic Epilepsy, Health, and Quality-of-Life Effects of Caregiving: Protocol for a Longitudinal Mixed Methods Observational Study

Background

Veterans with posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE), particularly those with comorbidities associated with epilepsy or traumatic brain injury (TBI), have poorer health status and higher symptom burden than their peers without PTE. One area that has been particularly poorly studied is that of the role of caregivers in the health of veterans with PTE and the impact caring for someone with PTE has on the caregivers themselves.

Objective

In this study, we aim to address the following: describe and compare the health and quality of life of veterans and caregivers of veterans with and without PTE; evaluate the change in available supports and unmet needs for services among caregivers of post-9/11 veterans with PTE over a 2-year period and to compare support and unmet needs with those without PTE; and identify veteran and caregiver characteristics associated with the 2-year health trajectories of caregivers and veterans with PTE compared with veterans without PTE.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study of the health and quality of life among 4 groups of veterans and their caregivers: veterans with PTE, nontraumatic epilepsy, TBI only, and neither epilepsy nor TBI. We will recruit participants from previous related studies and collect information about both the veterans and their primary informal caregivers on health, quality of life, unmet needs for care, PTE and TBI symptoms and treatment, relationship, and caregiver experience. Data sources will include existing data supplemented with primary data, such as survey data collected at baseline, intermittent brief reporting using ecological momentary assessment, and qualitative interviews. We will make both cross-sectional and longitudinal comparisons, using veteran-caregiver dyads, along with qualitative findings to better understand risk and promotive factors for quality of life and health among veterans and caregivers, as well as the bidirectional impact of caregivers and care recipients on one another.

Results

This study was approved by the institutional review boards of the University of Utah and Salt Lake City Veterans Affairs and is under review by the Human Research Protection Office of the United States Army Medical Research and Development Command. The Service Member, Veteran, and Caregiver Community Stakeholders Group has been formed and the study questionnaire will be finalized once the panel reviews it. We anticipate the start of recruitment and primary data collection by January 2022.

Conclusions

New national initiatives aim to incorporate the caregiver into the veteran’s treatment plan; however, we know little about the impact of caregiving—both positive and negative—on the caregivers themselves and on the veterans for whom they provide care. We will identify specific needs in this understudied population, which will inform clinicians, patients, families, and policy makers about the specific impact and needs to equip caregivers in caring for veterans at home.

International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/30975

The Military Injuries: Understanding Post-Traumatic Epilepsy Study: Understanding Relationships among Lifetime Traumatic Brain Injury History, Epilepsy, and Quality of Life

Understanding risk for epilepsy among persons who sustain a mild (mTBI) traumatic brain injury (TBI) is crucial for effective intervention and prevention. However, mTBI is frequently undocumented or poorly documented in health records. Further, health records are non-continuous, such as when persons move through health systems (e.g., from Department of Defense to Veterans Affairs [VA] or between jobs in the civilian sector), making population-based assessments of this relationship challenging. Here, we introduce the MINUTE (Military INjuries-Understanding post-Traumatic Epilepsy) study, which integrates data from the Veterans Health Administration with self-report survey data for post-9/11 veterans (n = 2603) with histories of TBI, epilepsy and controls without a history of TBI or epilepsy. This article describes the MINUTE study design, implementation, hypotheses, and initial results across four groups of interest for neurotrauma: 1) control; 2) epilepsy; 3) TBI; and 4) post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). Using combined survey and health record data, we test hypotheses examining lifetime history of TBI and the differential impacts of TBI, epilepsy, and PTE on quality of life. The MINUTE study revealed high rates of undocumented lifetime TBIs among veterans with epilepsy who had no evidence of TBI in VA medical records. Further, worse physical functioning and health-related quality of life were found for persons with epilepsy + TBI compared to those with either epilepsy or TBI alone. This effect was not fully explained by TBI severity. These insights provide valuable opportunities to optimize the resilience, delivery of health services, and community reintegration of veterans with TBI and complex comorbidity.

Fatigue in patients with acquired brain damage

Fatigue is a complex, multidimensional syndrome that is prevalent in patients with acquired brain damage and has a negative impact on the neurorehabilitation process. It presents from early stages after the injury, and may persist over time, regardless of whether sequelae have resolved. Fatigue is conditioned by upper neuronal circuits, and is defined as an abnormal perception of overexertion. Its prevalence ranges from 29% to 77% after stroke, from 18% to 75% after traumatic brain injury, and from 47% to 97% after brain tumours. Fatigue is associated with factors including female sex, advanced age, dysfunctional families, history of specific health conditions, functional status (eg, fatigue prior to injury), comorbidities, mood, secondary disability, and the use of certain drugs. Assessment of fatigue is fundamentally based on such scales as the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Advances have recently been made in imaging techniques for its diagnosis, such as in functional MRI. Regarding treatment, no specific pharmacological treatment currently exists; however, positive results have been reported for some conventional neurorehabilitation therapies, such as bright light therapy, neurofeedback, electrical stimulation, and transcranial magnetic stimulation. This review aims to assist neurorehabilitation professionals to recognise modifiable factors associated with fatigue and to describe the treatments available to reduce its negative effect on patients.

Self- and Parent-Reported Fatigue 7 Years After Severe Childhood Traumatic Brain Injury: Results of the Traumatisme Grave de l'Enfant Prospective Longitudinal Study

OBJECTIVE

To investigate presence of and factors associated with self- and parent-reported fatigue 7 years after severe childhood traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the prospective longitudinal study TGE (Traumatisme Grave de l'Enfant-severe childhood trauma).

METHODS

Self-reports and/or parent reports on the Multidimensional Fatigue Scale were collected for 38 participants (aged 7-22 years) 7 years after severe childhood TBI, and 33 controls matched for age, gender, and parental educational level. The data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, age at injury and injury severity scores, overall disability (Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended), intellectual outcome (Wechsler scales), and questionnaires assessing executive functions, health-related quality of life, behavior, and participation.

RESULTS

Fatigue levels were significantly worse in the TBI than in the control group, especially for cognitive fatigue. Correlations of reported fatigue with age at injury, gender, TBI severity, and intellectual ability were moderate and often not significant. Fatigue was significantly associated with overall level of disability (Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended) and with all questionnaires completed by the same informant.

CONCLUSION

High levels of fatigue were reported by 30% to 50% of patients 7 years after a severe childhood TBI. Reported fatigue explained more than 60% of the variance of reported health-related quality of life by the same informant (patient or parent).

The Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems National Database: A Review of Published Research

The Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems (TBIMS) is the largest longitudinal TBI data set in the world. Our study reviews the works using TBIMS data for analysis in the last 5 years. A search (2015–2020) was conducted across PubMed, EMBASE, and Google Scholar for studies that used the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living and Rehabilitation Research NIDILRR/VA-TBIMS data. Search terms were as follows: [“TBIMS” national database] within PubMed and Google Scholar, and [“TBIMS” AND national AND database] on EMBASE. Data sources, study foci (in terms of data processing and outcomes), study outcomes, and follow-up information usage were collected to categorize the studies included in this review. Variable usage in terms of TBIMS' form-based variable groups and limitations from each study were also noted. Assessment was made on how TBIMS' objectives were met by the studies. Of the 74 articles reviewed, 23 used TBIMS along with other data sets. Fifty-four studies focused on specific outcome measures only, 6 assessed data aspects as a major focus, and 13 explored both. Sample sizes of the included studies ranged from 11 to 15,835. Forty-two of the 60 longitudinal studies assessed follow-up from 1 to 5 years, and 15 studies used 10 to 25 years of the same. Prominent variable groups as outcome measures were “Employment,” “FIM,” “DRS,” “PART-O,” “Satisfaction with Life,” “PHQ-9,” and “GOS-E.” Limited numbers of studies were published regarding tobacco consumption, the Brief Test of Adult Cognition by Telephone (BTACT), the Supervision Rating Scale (SRS), general health, and comorbidities as variables of interest. Generalizability was the most significant limitation mentioned by the studies. The TBIMS is a rich resource for large-sample longitudinal analyses of various TBI outcomes. Future efforts should focus on under-utilized variables and improving generalizability by validation of results across large-scale TBI data sets to better understand the heterogeneity of TBI.

Community Integration After Traumatic Brain Injury and Related Factors: A Study in the Nepalese Context

Introduction

Community integration is an essential component for rehabilitation among traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors, which yields positive outcomes in terms of social activities, community participation, and productive work. A factor that usually facilitates community integration among TBI survivors is social support, whereas physical environment and fatigue are most often found as barriers.

Objectives

This study aimed to (1) describe the level of community integration, fatigue, physical environment, and social support of persons after TBI, and (2) examine the relationship between community integration and these three factors.

Methods

This is a descriptive correlational study. One hundred and twenty TBI survivors living in the communities of Province Number Three, Nepal were enrolled using the stratified sampling technique. The data were collected using the Community Integration Questionnaire, Modified Fatigue Impact Scale, Craig Hospital Inventory of Environmental Factors, and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation were used to analyze the data.

Results

Community integration, fatigue, and physical environment showed a moderate level, while social support revealed a high level. Fatigue was significantly correlated with overall community integration, whereas physical environment was found to correlate with two subscales of community integration, home integration and productive activities.

Conclusion

To enhance the level of community integration among TBI survivors, health care providers, in particular rehabilitation nurses and community nurses, should plan and implement strategies such as follow-up appointments or continued rehabilitation at home.

Cognitive, Behavioral, and Functional Impairments among Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors: Impact on Caregiver Burden

Background  The burden of cognitive, behavioral, and functional impairments after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is still not highlighted much, but its impact on caregivers is socio-economically relevant. The objectives of the study were to assess cognitive, behavioral, and functional impairments in patients of TBI and its impact on caregiver burden. Materials and Methods  A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a total enumeration sampling technique. Mini-mental status examination, neuropsychiatric inventory and Rappaport's disability rating scale were used to assess patients' cognitive, behavioral, and functional impairments, respectively. Zarit Caregiver Burden Scale was executed to quantify the caregiver burden. Results  Fifty patients of TBI and their caregivers were enrolled. Among these, 24% had moderate cognitive impairments. Among behavioral symptoms, 40% had agitation, 24% had depression, 18% had anxiety, and 16% had irritability. Moderate functional disability was reported by 18% of the patients, while 2% reported severe functional disability. Moderate to severe caregiver burden was reported by 8% of caregivers. Patients' behavioral ( r = 0.507, p < 0.001), functional ( r = 0.473, p = 0.001), and cognitive ( r = -0.438, p = 0.001) impairments had significant correlations with caregiver burden. Conclusion  Patients develop cognitive, behavioral, and functional disability after TBI. The caregiver burden increases significantly with cognitive dysfunction, behavioral symptoms, and impaired functional status of patients. Therefore, appropriate support is to be provided to caregivers as well as patients.

Fatigue, Participation and Quality of Life in Adolescents and Young Adults with Acquired Brain Injury in an Outpatient Rehabilitation Cohort

PURPOSE

To study the association between fatigue and participation and QoL after acquired brain injury (ABI) in adolescents and young adults (AYAs).

MATERIALS & METHODS

Cross-sectional study with AYAs aged 14-25 years, diagnosed with ABI. The PedsQL™ Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, Child & Adolescent Scale of Participation, and PedsQL™4.0 Generic Core Scales were administered.

RESULTS

Sixty-four AYAs participated in the study, 47 with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Median age at admission was 17.6 yrs, 0.8 yrs since injury. High levels of fatigue (median 44.4 (IQR 34.7, 59.7)), limited participation (median 82.5 (IQR 68.8, 92.3)), and diminished QoL (median 63.0 (IQR 47.8, 78.3)) were reported. More fatigue was significantly associated with more participation restrictions (β 0.64, 95%CI 0.44, 0.85) and diminished QoL (β 0.87, 95%CI 0.72, 1.02).

CONCLUSIONS

AYAs with ABI reported high levels of fatigue, limited participation and diminished quality of life with a significant association between fatigue and both participation and QoL. Targeting fatigue in rehabilitation treatment could potentially improve participation and QoL.

Physical Activity Intolerance and Cardiorespiratory Dysfunction in Patients with Moderate-to-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a chronic health condition with multi-systemic effects. Survivors face significant long-term functional limitations, including physical activity intolerance and disordered sleep. Persistent cardiorespiratory dysfunction is a potentially modifiable yet often overlooked major contributor to the alarmingly high long-term morbidity and mortality rates in these patients. This narrative review was developed through systematic and non-systematic searches for research relating cardiorespiratory function to moderate-to-severe TBI. The literature reveals patients who have survived moderate-to-severe TBI have ~ 25-35% reduction in maximal aerobic capacity 6-18 months post-injury, resting pulmonary capacity parameters that are reduced 25-40% for weeks to years post-injury, increased sedentary behavior, and elevated risk of cardiorespiratory-related morbidity and mortality. Synthesis of data from other patient populations reveals that cardiorespiratory dysfunction is likely a consequence of ventilator-induced diaphragmatic dysfunction (VIDD), which is not currently addressed in TBI management. Thus, cardiopulmonary exercise testing should be routinely performed in this patient population and those with cardiorespiratory deficits should be further evaluated for diaphragmatic dysfunction. Lack of targeted treatment for underlying cardiorespiratory dysfunction, including VIDD, likely contributes to physical activity intolerance and poor functional outcomes in these patients. Interventional studies have demonstrated that short-term exercise training programs are effective in patients with moderate-to-severe TBI, though improvement is variable. Inspiratory muscle training is beneficial in other patient populations with diaphragmatic dysfunction, and may be valuable for patients with TBI who have been mechanically ventilated. Thus, clinicians with expertise in cardiorespiratory fitness assessment and exercise training interventions should be included in patient management for individuals with moderate-to-severe TBI.

Fatigue Symptoms During the First Year Following ARDS

BACKGROUND

Fatigue is commonly reported by ARDS survivors, but empirical data are scarce.

RESEARCH QUESTION

This study evaluated fatigue prevalence and associated variables in a prospective study of ARDS survivors.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

This analysis is part of the ARDSNet Long-Term Outcomes Study (ALTOS) conducted at 38 US hospitals. Using age- and sex-adjusted, time-averaged random effects regression models, we evaluated associations between the validated Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Fatigue Scale with patient and critical illness variables, and with physical, cognitive, and mental health status at 6 and 12 months following ARDS.

RESULTS

Among ARDS survivors, 501 of 711 (70%) and 436 of 659 (66%) reported clinically significant symptoms of fatigue at 6 and 12 months, respectively, with 41% and 28% reporting clinically important improvement and worsening (n = 638). At 6 months, the prevalence of fatigue (70%) was greater than that of impaired physical functioning (50%), anxiety (42%), and depression (36%); 46% reported both impaired physical function and fatigue, and 27% reported co-existing anxiety, depression, and fatigue. Fatigue was less severe in men and in those employed prior to ARDS. Critical illness variables (eg, illness severity, length of stay) had little association with fatigue symptoms. Worse physical, cognitive, and mental health symptoms were associated with greater fatigue at both the 6- and 12-month follow-up.

INTERPRETATION

During the first year following ARDS, more than two-thirds of survivors reported clinically significant fatigue symptoms. Due to frequent co-occurrence, clinicians should evaluate and manage survivors' physical, cognitive, and mental health status when fatigue is endorsed.

Physical activity, fatigue and sleep quality at least 6 months after mild traumatic brain injury in adolescents and young adults: A comparison with orthopedic injury controls

OBJECTIVES

To compare physical activity (PA), fatigue and sleep quality in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) after mild TBI (mTBI) to persons of similar age after orthopedic injury (OI) on the longer term.

SETTING

Follow-up at least 6 months after visiting the emergency department of one of 2 general hospitals.

PARTICIPANTS

Forty-nine patients aged 12-25 years (mean 18.4 years), diagnosed with mTBI and 54 patients aged 12-25 years (mean 15.8 years) with OI.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional electronic survey study.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents with results dichotomized for meeting/not meeting Dutch Health Enhancing PA recommendations (D-HEPA), the Checklist Individual Strength (range 20-140, low-high) measuring fatigue, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (range 0-21, high-low) measuring sleep quality were administered.

RESULTS

Patients with mTBI less frequently met D-HEPA recommendations than patients with OI (49% vs. 70%; OR 2.87, 95%CI 1.07, 7.72) and reported more concentration-related fatigue problems (mean 19.1 (SD 8.0), mean 13.9 (SD 7.8), respectively; β 3.98, 95%CI 0.39, 7.56), after adjusting for potential confounders, sex, BMI, age and time since injury. No differences were found in sleep quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Identifying symptoms and limitations in activities is important after mTBI so that rehabiliation treatment can be initiated. Whether physical activity or fatigue is the best target for treatment remains to be established.

Sleep after TBI: How the TBI Model Systems have advanced the field

BACKGROUND

Identification and management of comorbidities in TBI has become an increasing focus for optimizing TBI outcomes. Recent meta-analyses highlight sleep disturbance and sleep disorders following TBI (Mathias & Alvaro, 2012). Improving the recognition and treatment of sleep disorders in TBI should be a central focus of rehabilitation. The Traumatic Brain Injury Model System (TBIMS) has created an infrastructure allowing multi-center investigations into sleep dysfunction in those who have had a moderate to severe TBI and received inpatient rehabilitation.

OBJECTIVE

This paper will describe the 1) infrastructure used to advance sleep dysfunction/disorders research following TBI, 2) preliminary findings from these studies, and 3) repository of data which can be accessed for secondary analyses by investigators outside of the TBIMS infrastructure.

METHODS

Two internal mechanisms allow investigators at TBIMS sites to collaborate on projects of shared interest: Research Modules and Special Interest Groups (SIG).

RESULTS

To date, five studies have resulted from the TBIMS collaborative process focusing on insomnia, circadian disruption, and sleep apnea.

CONCLUSIONS

Future directions for the SIG include continued development of available knowledge and understanding of the multidimensional factors that contribute to TBI-related sleep disturbance, optimal assessment tools, effectiveness of available treatments, and treatment compliance in this population.

Sleep and fatigue after TBI

BACKGROUND

Whilst post traumatic brain injury fatigue (PTBIF) and sleep disturbance are common sequelae following brain injury, underlying mechanisms, and the potential for targeted interventions remain unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To present a review of recent studies exploring the epidemiology of PTBIF and sleep disturbance, the relationship and neuropsychological correlates of these issues, potential approaches to intervention, and implications for neurorehabilitation.

METHODS

A review of relevant literature was undertaken, with a focus on PTBIF relating to sleep disturbance, the neuropsychological correlates of these issues and implications for neurorehabilitation. This paper does not set out to provide a systematic review.

RESULTS

Multidimensional approaches to assessment and treatment of sleep disturbance and PTBIF are required.

CONCLUSIONS

There is a need for more robust findings in determining the complex nature of relationships between PTBIF, sleep disturbance, and correlates. Longitudinal prospective data is required to increase our understanding of the nature and course of PTBIF and sleep disturbance post TBI. Large scale clinical trials are required in evaluating the potential benefits of interventions.

Sleep disturbance and cognition in people with TBI

BACKGROUND

Sleep disturbance plays a significant role in cognitive impairment following traumatic brain injury (TBI).

OBJECTIVES

To summarize recent findings that examine sleep disturbance and cognition in TBI.

METHODS

Epidemiological information on sleep disorders in people with TBI is presented. A simple introduction to the role of sleep in normal cognition provides context for the literature on clinical populations. Current theory on the mechanisms underlying cognitive problems in people with sleep disorder is briefly described. Findings on the relationship between sleep disorder and cognitive problems in TBI is examined in more detail.

RESULTS

Consistent reports of an association between sleep duration and cognition include several studies noting positive associations (shorter sleep duration accompanies cognitive impairment) and others observing negative associations (longer sleep duration accompanies cognitive problems). Both insomnia and hypersomnolence are forms of sleep disturbance that disrupt key mental processes such as memory consolidation. Obstructive sleep apnea, cerebral structural abnormalities, neurochemical changes and psychiatric pathology are implicated.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional information is needed on how severity of injury impacts sleep and cognition. Hypothesized mechanisms underlying the effects of sleep on cognition in TBI should be empirically tested. Further, discrepancies between objective and subjective measures of sleep and cognition must be explored.

Considerations for developing chronic care system for traumatic brain injury based on comparisons of cancer survivorship and diabetes management care

Experts in traumatic brain injury (TBI) rehabilitation recently proposed the framing of TBI as a chronic disease rather than a discrete event. Within the framework of the Chronic Care Model (CCM), a systematic comparison of three diseases - cancer survivorship, diabetes management and TBI chronic care - was conducted regarding chronic needs and the management of those needs. In addition, comparisons of these conditions require comparative evaluations of disease management characteristics and the survivor concept. The analysis found diabetes is more established within the CCM, where care is integrated across specialists and primary care providers. No single comparison provides a full analogue for understanding the chronic care health delivery system for TBI, indicating the need for a separate model to address needs and resources for TBI survivors. The findings from this research can provide practitioners with a context to develop a robust continued care health system for TBI. Practitioner Summary: We examine development of a chronic care system for traumatic brain injury. We conducted a systematic comparison of Chronic Care Model elements of decision and information support. Development of capabilities using a benchmark of diabetes care, with additional insights from cancer care, provides insights for implementing TBI chronic care systems.

Prevalence and severity of fatigue in adolescents and young adults with acquired brain injury: A nationwide study

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and severity of fatigue in adolescents and young adults with acquired brain injury (ABI) compared with healthy controls (HCs) and to examine associations between fatigue and gender, age and level of education. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 15-30 year old patients with ABI and a convenience sample of 15-30 year old HCs. All participants completed the 20-item Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI-20). Pathological fatigue was defined as "General Fatigue" ≥12. Adjusted mean differences between groups were calculated using multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). The adjusted prevalence proportion ratio (PPR_adj) of pathological fatigue was calculated using Poisson regression. Results: The patients (n = 334) had higher scores than the HCs (n = 168) on all MFI-20 subscales with adjusted mean differences ranging from 1.7 to 4.7 and a higher prevalence of pathological fatigue (73% versus 29%), PPR_adj 2.7 (95% confidence interval 2.1-3.5). Female patients experienced more fatigue than males on the "General Fatigue" and "Reduced Activity" subscales, while no gender differences were found in the HC group. Patients and HCs with elementary education had elevated scores on the "Reduced Activity" and "Mental Fatigue" subscales. Age was not associated with any of the subscale scores. Conclusion: Young patients with ABI had markedly higher prevalence and severity of fatigue than HCs. Age (15-30 years) was not associated with fatigue. No clear patterns of associations were evident with gender and level of education. Abbreviations: ABI: acquired brain injury; CI: confidence interval; GF: general fatigue; GOSE: Glasgow Outcome Scale Extended; HC: healthy control; MANCOVA: multivariate analysis of covariance; MF: mental fatigue; MFI-20: Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory-20; PF: physical fatigue; RA: reduced activity; RM: reduced motivation; TBI: traumatic brain injury.