Effects of Blast- and Impact-Related Concussion on Persistent Sleep Problems.

Objective: Examine whether concussion mechanism of injury (high-level blast [HLB] vs impact) affects the likelihood of persistent sleep problems in a post-deployment military population.

Setting: Post-Deployment Health Assessment and Re-Assessment survey records completed upon return from deployment and approximately 6 months later.

Participants: Active duty enlisted US Marines who completed both assessments ( N = 64 464).

The Effect of Concussion Mechanism of Injury on Sleep Problems in Active Duty Service Members Following Deployment.

Introduction: Sleep disruption is pervasive in the military and is generally exacerbated during deployment, partially due to increases in operational tempo and exposure to stressors and/or trauma. In particular, sleep disruption is a commonly reported symptom following deployment-related traumatic brain injury (TBI), though less is known about the prevalence of sleep disturbance as a function of whether the TBI was induced by high-level blast (HLB) or direct impact to the head. TBI assessment, treatment, and prognosis are further complicated by comorbidity with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and alcohol misuse.