Abstract
Objective
To examine the association of sleep quality/duration with chronic health conditions, psychological distress, and quality of life (QOL) in older adults with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Methods
120 older adults (x-age = 64.2 ± 8.3) 1 or more years (med = 9.8, range = 1.1–45.6) post moderate–severe TBI reported on history of chronic health conditions and current sleep duration and quality. Participants were categorized by sleep duration (< 6, 6–8, >8 hours) and whether or not they felt well-rested. Outcome measures were QOL (Quality of Life after Brain Injury questionnaire) and psychological distress (Brief Symptom Inventory-18).
Results
65% of individuals reported receiving 6–8 hours of sleep; 78% reported feeling well-rested. 17.5% reported no health conditions, 47.5% one condition, and 35% reported two or more. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes were the most common. Number of health conditions was not related to sleep quality χ2(2,N = 120) =0.83, p = 0.66, or quantity, χ2(4,N = 120) =7.4, p = 0.12. MANCOVA controlling for age, chronicity, and injury severity revealed a significant association between poor sleep quality and decreased QOL across multiple life domains, V = 0.30, F(6,105) = 4.6, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.21. Sleep duration was also associated with QOL, Λ = 0.80, F(12,208) = 2.1, p < 0.05, ηp2 = 0.108. In ANCOVAs, poor sleep quality was related to increased psychological distress, F(1,110) = 18.3, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.142, but sleep duration was not, F(2,109) = 2.2, p = 0.12, ηp2 = 0.038.
Conclusion
Although most participants received the recommended amount of sleep, poor sleep quality/quantity were associated with poorer QOL and sleep quality was additionally associated with psychological distress. Chronic health conditions were prevalent in the sample, but not related to self-reported sleep quality/duration.
Fiber tract integrity in patients with brain injury and chronic health symptoms
