Hypersomnolence and Attention Deficits in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Sleep complaints are prevalent within the TBI population.Commonly expressed disturbances include difficulty in initiating and maintaining sleep, and hypersomnolence, defined as fatigue or excessive daytime sleepiness.Hypersomnolence can influence cognitive and behavioral performance, particularly in regard to the maintenance of attention. Preliminary research has indicated an increased incidence of reports of attentional difficulty among those experiencing daytime sleepiness. Few studies have carefully examined the relationship between sleep disruption and cognitive functioning, specifically involving attention difficulties, among the TBI population. The current study being conducted at Saint Anselm College is investigating this question. Implications of this study may help advance the understanding of treatment and rehabilitation for those incurring TBI.

Participation in this study requires a documented diagnosis of traumatic brain injury within the last two years. Volunteers will complete a telephone interview, a half a day of neuropsychological assessment, and a day of neuropsychological and sleep testing at Saint Anselm College.Group data will be supplied at the end of the study. Daytime sleep research data will be offered to each participant (no diagnoses will be provided). Please consider offering this research opportunity to patients you deem appropriate for this study. Those individuals interested may contact Dr. Paul Finn at (603) 641-7131.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Paul Finn, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
Saint Anselm College
(603)641-7131
Paulfinn@anselm.edu

Shannon Carter
Department of Psychology
Suffolk University
(617) 305-6362
Shannon_carter@hotmail.com

Elisabeth Moes, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
Suffolk University
(617) 305-6396
elisabethmoes@yahoo.com