“ We hypothesize sleep can be a key indicator of the the brain trying to repair / recover from the concussion ,” the researchers note .
Issue 32.3
New Link Between Sleep and Concussion Identified by Researchers
“ We hypothesize sleep can be a key indicator of the the brain trying to repair / recover from the concussion ,” the researchers note .
A new study led by Flinders University points to the importance of sleep quality in the aftermath and recovery process in sports-related concussion , a common form of mild traumatic brain injury .
Results from a study published in Nature and Science of Sleep found that sleep appears to “ improve ” in the eight weeks after concussion , including longer duration sleep , better sleep efficiency , and even longer deep sleep as the recovery progresses .
“ Little is known about sleep after a concussion , despite sleep arguably being the more important process to allow the brain to function optimally ,” says Flinders University sleep researcher Dr . David Stevens , who treats and researches sports-related concussion .
The results of this small-scale study gives credence to previous studies in animals showing that improving sleep supports recovery from brain injury , and therefore should be explored and monitored in detail for recovery and other effects of concussion such as loss of cognitive function , alertness and depression and anxiety .
“ We hypothesize sleep can be a key indicator of the the brain trying to repair / recover from the concussion ,” the researchers note .
Previous studies have linked deep sleep leads to neural plasticity , and activation of the glymphatic system that removes amyloid-ß and τ-proteins , both of which are implicated in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy ( CTE ), a progressive and fatal brain disease associated with repeated traumatic brain injuries , including concussions and repeated blows to the head .
The new study is based on evidence collected from athletes who experienced a sports-related concussion and underwent overnight sleep studies within seven days of the concussion ( acute stage ) and again eight weeks after the concussion ( sub-acute stage ).
This study indicates better sleep in participants with a concussion compared to the population norm . Sleep also appeared to further improve in the eight weeks after concussion compared to sleep immediately after concussion .
“ We speculate that the improvement in sleep was an attempt by the brain to heal itself ,” Dr . Stevens says .
“ More research in a larger population is needed to explore this hypothesis , and investigate other neurophysiological and neurocognitive measures to examine whether changes in sleep during recovery from concussion results in changes to other aspects of the head trauma .
“ I am not only advocating for improved research in a range of areas in concussion , but also for players , clubs and organizations to stop treating concussion likes it ’ s a scratch or a ‘ corky ,’ but rather a clinical issue that has potential ramifications worse than any dislocation or fracture .”
Former SANFLW player Maya Rigter says she is still recovering from three concussions , the last of which forced her to retire on 19 March .
After 57 games with Sturt Football Club and “ still loving football ,” she decided to retire “ due to the significant risk another concussion poses to my professional medical career and future health .”
Currently studying physiotherapy , Rigter says the decision to stop playing “ broke my heart ” but ongoing symptoms were having a significant impact on her life , “ particularly university with cognitive ability slow to return .” g
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