Abstract Introduction Sleep disturbance and chronic pain are very common after moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI). Despite having a bidirectional and mutually exacerbating relationship, there is a dearth of literature examining factors involved in the sleep-pain relationship following msTBI. Psychiatric symptoms (e.g., post-traumatic stress, depression) are also prevalent following injury and know to be related to sleep, as well as poor adjustment to chronic pain. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between sleep, psychiatric symptoms, and pain-beliefs among msTBI survivors who have comorbid chronic pain. Methods This is a secondary analysis of TBI Model Systems study data of 1,567 individuals reporting chronic pain after msTBI (M=8.5 years, SD=7.1). Participants were 46.8 years old on average (SD=27.9), predominantly male (72.7%) and completed measures of sleep (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD Checklist; PCL-5), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire; PHQ-9), anxiety (General Anxiety Disorder; GAD-7), pain-related catastrophizing (Coping Strategies Questionnaire; CSQ) and self-efficacy (Pain Self-Efficacy Questionnaire; PSEQ-2). Measures were adjusted for overlapping constructs. Relationships between sleep, psychiatric symptoms and pain beliefs were examined through Pearson correlations. Results Average PSQI total score for our sample was 8.78 (SD=4.4), indicating poor sleep quality, with an estimated 6.40 (SD=1.9) hours of sleep on average. Over two-third (68.5%) of our sample attributed some of their sleep disturbance to chronic pain and nearly half (47.4%) met cutoff (>8) for clinically significant poor sleep quality. PSQI scores were positively correlated with PCL (r = .44, p Conclusion Poorer sleep quality in individuals with chronic pain after msTBI is associated with more psychiatric symptoms, increased pain-related catastrophizing, and lower pain self-efficacy. Results highlight sleep quality as an important modifiable target for intervention in this at-risk clinical population and suggest that behavioral treatments to improve psychiatric comorbidities and adjustment to pain may be beneficial. Support (if any) National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NCT03033901).

Abstract Introduction Previous studies have shown automatic scoring of portable level 3 sleep study provides similar findings when compared to polysomnography (PSG), establishing home sleep apnea tests (HSAT) as an adequate screening tool for OSA. Accuracy of level 3 studies with Nox T3 portable sleep studies (Noxturna Inc., Atlanta GA) may improve with manual editing to include total sleep time (TST). No other studies have compared unedited versus manually edited HSAT with level 1 in-lab PSG performed simultaneously. This study evaluates if added manual editing optimizes the diagnostic accuracy of HSAT in classifying the severity of OSA, using both AASM and CMS criteria. Methods Secondary analysis of six-center (n=206) sleep apnea diagnostic comparative effectiveness trial. Participants underwent simultaneous administration of level 1 PSG (Philips Alice 6 LDx Diagnostic Sleep system) and Nox T3 portable sleep study with centralized scoring using AASM and CMS criteria. All HSAT were autoscored and then edited by the registered polysomnographic technician. Editing entailed establishing start and stop recording times based on accompanying actigraphy data (reduction in movement) in the portable device and elimination of recording artifact. Results Using AASM criteria, poor sensitivity OSA (AHI≥5) was observed using unedited vs PSG (p=.01) compared to manually edited HSAT vs. PSG (p=.06). No statistically significant difference was observed using AHI≥15 or via categorization across four levels of OSA (none, mild, moderate, or severe). In contrast, CMS criteria comparisons to PSG showed poor specificity of OSA (AHI≥5) for unedited (p=.003) compared to edited (p=.372) HSAT studies. As expected, total sleep time was overestimated using T3 actigraphy devices compared to the criterion standard across both edited and unedited studies (p=.001, .001 respectively). Conclusion Improvements in sensitivity and specificity of OSA were noted using edited versus unedited T3 HSAT when compared to Level 1 PSG using both AASM and CMS criteria. Results support need for manualized editing of HSAT in persons with hospitalized TBI. Support (if any) PCORI (CER-1511-33005), GDHS (W91YTZ-13-C-0015)

STUDY OBJECTIVES To explore the relationship between polysomnography-derived respiratory indices and chronic pain status among individuals following traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS Participants (n = 66) with moderate to severe TBI underwent polysomnography during inpatient acute rehabilitation and their chronic pain status was assessed at 1- to 2-year follow-up as part of the TBI Model Systems Pain Collaborative Study. Pairwise comparisons across pain cohorts (ie, chronic pain, no history of pain) were made to explore differences on polysomnography indices. RESULTS Among our total sample, approximately three-quarters (74.2%) received sleep apnea diagnoses utilizing American Academy of Sleep Medicine criteria, with 61.9% of those endorsing a history of chronic pain. Of those endorsing chronic pain, the average pain score was 4.8 (standard deviation = 2.1), with a mean interference score of 5.3 (2.7). Pairwise comparisons revealed that those endorsing a chronic pain experience at follow-up experienced categorically worse indicators of sleep-related breathing disorders during acute rehabilitation relative to those who did not endorse chronic pain. Important differences were observed with elevations on central (chronic pain: 2.6; no pain: 0.8 per hour) and obstructive apnea (chronic pain: 15.7; no pain: 11.1 per hour) events, as well as oxygen desaturation indices (chronic pain: 19.6; no pain: 7.9 per hour). CONCLUSIONS Sleep-disordered breathing appears worse among those who endorse chronic pain following moderate-to-severe TBI, but additional research is needed to understand its relation to postinjury pain. Prospective investigation is necessary to determine how clinical decisions (eg, opioid therapy) and intervention (eg, positive airway pressure) may mutually influence outcomes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION Registry: ClinicalTrials.gov; Name: Comparison of Sleep Apnea Assessment Strategies to Maximize TBI Rehabilitation Participation and Outcome (C-SAS); URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03033901; Identifier: NCT03033901. CITATION Martin AM, Pinto SM, Tang X, et al. Associations between early sleep-disordered breathing following moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury and long-term chronic pain status: a Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(1):135-143.

Abstract Introduction Poor sleep quality and chronic pain are common after moderate-to-severe traumatic brain injury (msTBI). Prior studies have not examined the role of PTSD symptoms in the relationship between sleep quality and chronic pain experience (i.e., severity and pain-related interference) in those with msTBI. Yet, PTSD is known to be associated with both sleep and pain. The purpose of this analysis is to determine the role of PTSD symptoms in the sleep-pain relationship among this at-risk clinical population. Methods Secondary analyses were performed on data (n=1537) from the TBI Model Systems follow-up study. Participants were an average age of 46.21 years old, predominantly male (72.61%), and followed at an average of 8.5 years post injury. Participants completed measures of sleep quality (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index; PSQI), pain severity and interference (Brief Pain Inventory; BPI), depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9; PHQ-9) and PTSD symptoms (PTSD Checklist, PCL-5). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to examine differences in pain outcomes controlling for relevant covariates, adjusting for item redundancy prior to analyses. Results Sleep quality and pain interference are associated such that “good sleepers” (PSQI≤8, mean=4.92±2.17) have lower pain interference scores than “poor sleepers” (PSQI>8, mean=12.63±2.87), with a mean pain interference of 3.41±2.32 vs 5.26±2.45 (p< 0.0001). “Good sleepers” also had lower pain severity (4.22±1.78 vs 5.28±1.84, p< 0.0001), lower PTSD symptoms (14.62±13.46 vs 28.35±17.82, p< 0.0001), and less depression symptoms (5.32±4.97 vs 10.57±6.22, p< 0.0001) when compared to “poor sleepers.” Pain interference and severity were significantly related to all covariates at a <.001 level. Further, a significant effect of PSQI score cut-off (“good” v “poor sleeper”) in both pain interference and severity remained after controlling for the effect of age, depression, and PTSD symptom scores. Conclusion In patients with msTBI, sleep quality and pain interference are positively associated such that better sleep quality corresponds with lower pain interference, a relationship which remains when controlling for PTSD and multiple covariates. Addressing the sleep needs of patients with msTBI through behavioral intervention (e.g., cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia), even in the presence of additional psychiatric comorbidities, may assist those who experience chronic pain following injury. Support (if any)

Objectives: To describe patient and clinical characteristics associated with receipt of opioid medications and identify differences in sleep quality, architecture, and sleep-related respiration between those receiving and not receiving opioid medications. Setting: Acute inpatient rehabilitation care for moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Participants: A total of 248 consecutive admissions for inpatient rehabilitation care following moderate to severe TBI (average age of 43.6 years), who underwent level 1 polysomnography (PSG) (average time since injury: 120 days) across 6 sites. Design: Cross-sectional, secondary analyses. Main Measures: The PSG sleep parameters included total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE), wake after sleep onset, rapid eye movement (REM) latency, sleep staging, and arousal and awakening indices. Respiratory measures included oxygen saturation, central apnea events per hour, obstructive apnea and hypopnea events per hour, and total apnea-hypopnea index. Results: After adjustment for number of prescribed medication classes, those receiving opioid medications on the day of PSG experienced increased TST relative to those not receiving opioid medications (estimated mean difference [EMD] = 31.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.9-61.3). Other indices of sleep did not differ significantly between groups. Among respiratory measures those receiving opioids on the day of PSG experienced increased frequency of central sleep apnea events during total (EMD = 2.92; 95% CI, 0.8-5.0) and non-REM sleep (EMD = 3.37; 95% CI, 1.0-5.7) and higher frequency of obstructive sleep apnea events during REM sleep (EMD = 6.97; 95% CI, 0.1-13.8). Compared with those who did not, receiving opioids was associated with lower oxygen saturation nadir during total sleep (EMD = -3.03; 95% CI, -5.6 to -0.4) and a greater number of oxygen desaturations across REM (EMD = 8.15; 95% CI, 0.2-16.1), non-REM (EMD = 7.30; 95% CI, 0.3-14.4), and total sleep (EMD = 8.01; 95% CI, 0.8-15.2) Greater total apnea-hypopnea index was observed during REM (EMD = 8.13; 95% CI, 0.8-15.5) and total sleep (EMD = 7.26; 95% CI, 0.08-14.4) for those receiving opioids. Conclusion: Opioid use following moderate to severe TBI is associated with an increase in indicators of sleep-related breathing disorders, a modifiable condition that is prevalent following TBI. As sleep-wake disorders are associated with poorer rehabilitation outcomes and opioid medications may frequently be administered following traumatic injury, additional longitudinal investigations are warranted in determining whether a causal relation between opioids and sleep-disordered breathing in those following moderate to severe TBI exists. Given current study limitations, future studies can improve upon methodology through the inclusion of indication for and dosage of opioid medications in this population when examining these associations.

BACKGROUND: OSA is prevalent during a time of critical neural repair after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The diagnostic utility of existing sleep studies is needed to inform clinical management during acute recovery from TBI. RESEARCH QUESTION: This study aimed to evaluate the non-inferiority and diagnostic accuracy of a portable level 3 sleep study relative to level 1 polysomnography in hospitalized neurorehabilitation patients with TBI. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This is a prospective clinical trial conducted at six TBI Model System study sites between May 2017 and February 2019. Of 896 admissions, 449 were screened and eligible for the trial, with 345 consented. Additional screening left 263 eligible for and completing simultaneous administration of both level 1 and level 3 sleep studies, with final analyses completed on 214 (median age = 42 years; ED Glasgow Coma Scale = 6; time to polysomnography [PSG] = 52 days). RESULTS Agreement was moderate to strong (weighted kappa = 0.78, 95% CI, 0.72-0.83) with the misclassification commonly occurring with mild sleep apnea due to underestimation of apnea hypopnea index (AHI). Most of those with moderate to severe sleep apnea were correctly classified (n = 54/72). Non-inferiority was not demonstrated: the minimum tolerable specificity of 0.5 was achieved across all AHI cutoff scores (lower confidence limits [LCL] range, 0.807-0.943), but the minimum tolerable sensitivity of 0.8 was not (LCL range, 0.665-0.764). INTERPRETATION: Although the non-inferiority of level 3 portable diagnostic testing relative to level 1 was not established, strong agreement was seen across sleep apnea indexes. Most of those with moderate to severe sleep apnea were correctly identified; however, there was risk of misclassification with level 3 sleep studies underestimating disease severity for those with moderate to severe AHI and disease presence for those with mild AHI during early TBI neurorehabilitation.

Objective: To determine the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity and comparative effectiveness of traditional sleep apnea screening tools in traumatic brain injury (TBI) neurorehabilitation admissions. Design: Prospective diagnostic comparative effectiveness trial of sleep apnea screening tools relative to the criterion standard, attended level 1 polysomnography including encephalography. Setting: Six TBI Model System Inpatient Rehabilitation Centers. Participants: Between May 2017 and February 2019, 449 of 896 screened were eligible for the trial with 345 consented (77% consented). Additional screening left 263 eligible for and completing polysomnography with final analyses completed on 248. Intervention: Not applicable. Main Outcome Measures: Area under the curve (AUC) of screening tools relative to total apnea hypopnea index >= 15 (AHI, moderate to severe apnea) measured at a median of 47 days post-TBI (interquartile range, 29-47). Results: The Berlin high-risk score (receiving operating curve [ROC] AUC =0.634) was inferior to the Multivariable Apnea Prediction Index (MAPI) (ROC AUC=0.780) (P=.0211; CI, 0.018-0.223) and Snoring, Tired, Observed, Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Age, Neck Circumference, and Gender (STOPBANG) score (ROC AUC=0.785) (P=.001; CI, 0.063-0.230), both of which had comparable AUC (P=.7245; CI, -0.047 to 0.068). Findings were similar for AHI >= 30 (severe apnea); however, no differences across scales was observed at AHI >= 5. The pattern was similar across TBI severity subgroups except for posttraumatic amnesia (PTA) status wherein the MAPI outperformed the Berlin. Youden's index to determine risk yielded lower sensitivities but higher specificities relative to non-TBI samples. Conclusion: This study is the first to provide clinicians with data to support a choice for which sleep apnea screening tools are more effective during inpatient rehabilitation for TBI (STOPBANG, MAPI vs Berlin) to help reduce comorbidity and possibly improve neurologic outcome. (C) 2019 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).

Objective: To describe the cost benefit of 4 different approaches to screening for sleep apnea in a cohort of participants with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) receiving inpatient rehabilitation from the payor's perspective. Design: A cost-benefit analysis of phased approaches to sleep apnea diagnosis. Setting: Six TBI Model System Inpatient Rehabilitation Centers. Participants: Trial data from participants (NZ214) were used in analyses (mean age 44 +/- 18y, 82% male, 75% white, with primarily motor vehicle-related injury [44%] and falls [33%] with a sample mean emergency department Glasgow Coma Scale of 8 +/- 5). Intervention: Not applicable. Main Outcome: Cost benefit. Results: At apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) >15 (34%), phased modeling approaches using screening measures (Snoring, Tired, Observed, Blood Pressure, Body Mass Index, Age, Neck Circumference, and Gender [STOPBANG] [-$5291], Multivariable Apnea Prediction Index MAPI [-$5262]) resulted in greater cost savings and benefit relative to the portable diagnostic approach (-$5210) and initial use of laboratory-quality polysomnography (-$5,011). Analyses at AHI>5 (70%) revealed the initial use of portable testing (-$6323) relative to the screening models (MAPI [-$6250], STOPBANG [-$6237) and initial assessment with polysomnography (-$5977) resulted in greater savings and cost-effectiveness. Conclusions: The high rates of sleep apnea after TBI highlight the importance of accurate diagnosis and treatment of this comorbid disorder. However, financial and practical barriers exist to obtaining an earlier diagnosis during inpatient rehabilitation hospitalization. Diagnostic cost savings are demonstrated across all phased approaches and OSA severity levels with the most cost-beneficial approach varying by incidence of OSA. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine

The objective of this study was to compare obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), demographic, and traumatic brain injury (TBI) characteristics across the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and Centers for Medicare and Medicare (CMS) scoring rules in moderate to severe TBI undergoing inpatient neurorehabilitation. This is a secondary analysis from a prospective clinical trial of sleep apnea at 6 TBI Model System study sites (n = 248). Scoring was completed by a centralized center using both the AASM and CMS criteria for OSA. Hospitalization and injury characteristics were abstracted from the medical record, and demographics were obtained by interview by trained research assistants using TBI Model System standard procedures. OSA was prevalent using the AASM (66 ClinicalTrials.gov ; Name:Comparison of Sleep Apnea Assessment Strategies to Maximize TBI Rehabilitation Participation and Outcome; Identifier:NCT03033901. Nakase-Richardson R, Dahdah MN, Almeida E, et al. Concordance between current American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Centers for Medicare and Medicare scoring criteria for obstructive sleep apnea in hospitalized persons with traumatic brain injury: A VA TBI Model System study. J Clin Sleep Med. 2020;16(6):879–888.

Survivors of brain injury who have disorders of consciousness often have chronic functional deficits and disability. Obstructive sleep apnoea, a sleep-related breathing disorder, is a medical comorbid condition common among persons with brain injury and is injurious to health. Research on obstructive sleep apnoea treatment among brain-injured patients-particularly persons with disorders of consciousness-is sparse. This case study describes a patient with severe brain injury admitted for neurorehabilitation in a minimally conscious state. Obstructive sleep apnoea was identified and treated. Treatment compliance was variable, and functional motor and cognitive improvement were observed during periods of better compliance. Study design does not permit casual attribution for functional improvement, but identification and treatment of obstructive sleep apnoea are suggested as a possible way to promote recovery after brain injury.

Sleep apnea is prevalent following TBI, though little is known about treatment adherence. Disordered sleep following acute injury may be associated with greater morbidity and early mortality after TBI. The purpose of this study is to describe PAP adherence and variability during acute neurologic recovery after TBI. Retrospective electronic chart reviews were conducted on a cohort of all participants prescribed PAP therapy following PSG (N=33; ER GCS quartiles [3/3/14]; age quartiles [37/48/58]) and enrolled in a prospective longitudinal study of TBI following inpatient neurorehabilitation (VA TBI Model Systems). A majority of participants prescribed PAP had symptomatic mild obstructive sleep apnea (AHI quartiles, 9/13/23). Nine (27%) refused PAP. Nine (27%) were adherent to the treatment per CMS guidelines (=/>4hrs for =/> 70% of days). Among those accepting PAP and were non-adherent (N=15), the median PAP usage was 3 (3-5, Q1-Q3) hours/night. The median days used was 43 (18-192, Q1-Q3) which was 79% (46-91%, Q1-Q3) of total days monitored. The adherent group used PAP for a median of 6 (6-8, Q1-Q3) hours/night. The median days used was 30 (23-180, Q1-Q3) which was 96% of the total days used (95-100%, Q1-Q3). A subset (n=8) had subsequent downloads of data. Fifty percent were non-compliant on the most recent download with half (25%) originally meeting criteria for compliance. A large proportion (38%) remained compliant with 12% improving to compliance relative to the initial download. TBI patients undergoing acute neurologic recovery commonly refuse PAP therapies or are non-adherent to PAP upon initial download. Rates of adherence are lower compared to the general population. Nonadherence may influence neurologic recovery and long-term morbidity from TBI. Reasons for nonadherence warrant further investigation. For a small subset with follow-up, adherence was not static over time. Patients worsening (25%) or improving (12%) PAP adherence suggesting the need for ongoing treatment monitoring in persons with moderate to severe TBI. Future research is needed to examine the relationship between recovery and PAP adherence in this population. PCORI (CER-1511-33005), GDHS (W91YTZ-13-C-0015) for DVBIC.

Objective:To examine concordance of accelerometer-based actigraphy (ACG) with polysomnography (PSG) in the determination of sleep states in inpatients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and examine the impact of injury severity and comorbid conditions (spasticity, apnea) on concordance. Participants:This was a convenience sample of 50 participants with primarily severe TBI. Design:This was a retrospective chart review of concurrent administration of PSG with ACG in nonconsecutive rehabilitation admissions with TBI. Main Measures:Total sleep time and sleep efficiency were measured by PSG and ACG. Results:Moderate to strong correlations between ACG and PSG were observed for total sleep time (r = 0.78, P < .01) and sleep efficiency (r = 0.66, P < .01). PSG and ACG estimates of total sleep time (316 minutes vs 325 minutes, respectively) and sleep efficiency (78% vs 77%, respectively) were statistically indistinguishable. Conclusions:Actigraphy is a valid proxy for monitoring of sleep in this population across injury severity and common comorbidity groups. However, further research with larger sample sizes to examine concordance in patients with TBI with disorder of consciousness and spasticity is recommended.

Objective: To prospectively examine the incidence and risk factors for sleep apnea in consecutive brain injury rehabilitation admissions. Setting: Inpatient neurorehabilitation hospital. Participants: Participants (n = 86) were consecutive neurorehabilitation admissions. Design: Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data. Main Measures: Polysomnography. Results: Half (49%) of the sample was diagnosed with sleep apnea. For the full sample, univariate logistic regression revealed age (odds ratio: 1.08; 95% confidence interval: 1.04-1.11) and hypertension (odds ratio: 7.77; 95% confidence interval: 2.81-21.47) as significant predictors of sleep apnea diagnosis. Results of logistic regression conducted within the traumatic brain injury group revealed age (odds ratio: 1.07; 95% confidence interval: 1.02-1.13) as the only significant predictor of apnea diagnosis after adjustment for other variables. Hierarchical generalized linear regression models for the prediction of apnea severity (ie, apnea-hypopnea index found that Functional Independence Measure Cognition Score (P = .01) and age (P < .01) were significant predictors. Following adjustment for all other terms, only age (P < .01) remained significant. Conclusion: Sleep apnea is prevalent in acute neurorehabilitation admissions and traditional risk profiles for sleep apnea may not effectively screen for the disorder. Given the progressive nature of obstructive sleep apnea and morbidity associated with even mild obstructive sleep apnea, early identification and intervention may address comorbidities influencing acute and long-term outcome.

BACKGROUND:Sleep problems and disorders are prevalent in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and are associated with negative outcomes. Incidence varies because of challenges including differences in assessment methods, particularly in the acute stages of recovery when patients are cognitively impaired and unable to complete traditional self-report methods. Actigraphy (ACG) recently has been validated in the acute TBI rehabilitation setting and may serve as a superior method of assessing sleep-wake patterns at this stage of recovery. Although a few studies with small sample sizes have described the use of ACG, none have described feasibility and implementation protocols.OBJECTIVE:To describe the feasibility and implementation protocol of ACG to evaluate sleep-wake patterns and white-light exposure data in patients with acute TBI during inpatient rehabilitation. Sleep-wake patterns and light exposure data are presented to characterize the sample using these methods to inform future research.DESIGN:Retrospective study.SETTING:Acute inpatient rehabilitation unit at a Veterans' Affairs Polytrauma Rehabilitation Center.PARTICIPANTS:Veterans (age ≥18 years) admitted to inpatient rehabilitation and enrolled in the Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems study who were admitted and discharged in the calendar year 2013.METHODS:Veterans underwent actigraph watch placement as soon as possible after admission. Records from the calendar year 2013 were reviewed to determine the number of admissions that met study criteria and what percentage of those patients had 3 days of continuous ACG data collected. The barriers to successful watch placement in this population were reviewed. Average sleep, light, and wake data from available records were collected for the study sample.MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS:Percentage of patients who met study criteria and who had 72 hours of continuous ACG data collected. The barriers to successful watch placement in this population were reviewed. Average sleep, light, and wake data from available records were collected.RESULTS:Of 22 eligible Traumatic Brain Injury Model Systems admissions, 3 consecutive nights of ACG data were successfully obtained for 86% (n = 19) of the sample. Barriers to data collection included patient access due to abbreviated lengths of stay, staff availability for ACG placement, and data collection protocols to prevent loss of data in Veterans' Affairs computing systems.CONCLUSIONS:ACG is feasible for collecting data about sleep, wake, and light exposure in patients who are in acute TBI inpatient rehabilitation settings.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:III.

OBJECTIVE:To prospectively characterize the prevalence, course, and impact of acute sleep abnormality among traumatic brain injury (TBI) neurorehabilitation admissions.DESIGN:Prospective observational study.SETTING:Freestanding rehabilitation hospital.PARTICIPANTS:Primarily severe TBI (median emergency department Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] score=7; N=205) patients who were mostly men (71%) and white (68%) were evaluated during acute neurorehabilitation.INTERVENTIONS:None.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE:Delirium Rating Scale-Revised-98 (DelRS-R98) was administered weekly throughout rehabilitation hospitalization. DelRS-R98 item 1 was used to classify severity of sleep-wake cycle disturbance (SWCD) as none, mild, moderate, or severe. SWCD ratings were analyzed both serially and at 1 month postinjury.RESULTS:For the entire sample, 66% (mild to severe) had SWCD at 1 month postinjury. The course of the SWCD using a subset (n=152) revealed that 84% had SWCD on rehabilitation admission, with 63% having moderate to severe ratings (median, 24d postinjury). By the third serial exam (median, 35d postinjury), 59% remained with SWCD, and 28% had moderate to severe ratings. Using general linear modeling and adjusting for age, emergency department GCS score, and days postinjury, presence of moderate to severe SWCD at 1 month postinjury made significant contributions in predicting duration of posttraumatic amnesia (P<.01) and rehabilitation hospital length of stay (P<.01).CONCLUSIONS:Results suggest that sleep abnormalities after TBI are prevalent and decrease over time. However, a high percent remained with SWCD throughout the course of rehabilitation intervention. Given the brevity of inpatient neurorehabilitation, future studies may explore targeting SWCD to improve early outcomes, such as cognitive functioning and economic impact, after TBI.