A SMALL-scale new study led by Flinders University points to the importance of sleep quality in the aftermath and recovery process of mild traumatic brain injury such as sports-related concussion.
Results from a study in South Australia 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," shared Flinders University sleep researcher Dr David Stevens, who treats and researches sports-related concussion.
"The results of this 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 hypothesise sleep can be a key indicator of the the brain trying to repair or recover from the concussion," Stevens said.
Pictured: Former SA NFLW player Maya Rigter who is still recovering from three concussions, the last of which forced her to retire on 19 Mar.
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