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Longer Sleep After concussion Linked to Worse Symptoms in Teens
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by Amelia Smith | OTTAWA – 2025/07/02 12:12:05
A new study indicates that increased sleep duration in the week following a concussion may be associated with poorer outcomes for children and teenagers. Researchers found that even an extra hour of sleep was correlated with worsened cognitive and somatic symptoms, possibly leading to prolonged recovery times.
Study Details Sleep Patterns and Concussion Recovery
The research,spearheaded by Lauren Butterfield,msc,from the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario Research Institute,analyzed data from a clinical trial conducted across three pediatric emergency departments in Ontario. The study, which began in March 2017, involved 291 participants aged 10 to 18 who had been treated for a concussion within 48 hours of the injury.
Participants wore accelerometers for two weeks to monitor thier sleep patterns and kept sleep logs.Their symptoms were assessed using the Health and Behavior Inventory (HBI) at 1, 2, and 4 weeks post-concussion. The HBI questionnaire measured both cognitive and somatic symptoms.
“Long sleep duration may be associated with increased odds of being reliably symptomatic at 4 weeks, therefore a greater risk of PSAC [persisting symptoms after a concussion].”
Key Findings: Sleep Duration and Symptom Severity
The study revealed that children and teens who slept 10.5 hours per night,compared to 9.5 hours, in the first week after a concussion had higher symptom scores at the one-week mark. Furthermore, longer sleep duration was associated with higher odds of persistent symptoms at 4 weeks. specifically, teenagers who slept 10.9 hours compared to 9.9 hours were more likely to exhibit increased symptoms at the four-week mark.
Frequently Asked Questions About Concussions and Sleep
- Q: How does a concussion affect sleep?
- A: Concussions can disrupt normal sleep patterns, leading to insomnia, excessive sleepiness, or changes in sleep duration.
- Q: Should I let my child sleep after a concussion?
- A: Yes, rest is crucial, but this study suggests that excessive sleep in the initial week post-concussion may not be beneficial and should be monitored.
- Q: What are the signs of a concussion?
- A: Signs include headache,
