First Advisor

Laura Nguyen

Date of Award

Spring 6-16-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Biology and University Honors

Department

Biology

Language

English

Subjects

traumatic brain injury, sleep wake disturbance, pediatric, trauma, neuroscience, sleep health

Abstract

Traumatic brain injuries are the result of a sudden external blunt force to the brain and can result in long-term complications or death. In pediatrics, it is the leading cause of acute and chronic sleep-wake disturbances, as well as cognitive deficits, which can lead to a reduction in the quality of life for these children. These impairments can later result in lowered performance in work and school settings or decreased psychosocial function. Currently, there is a need to determine the relationship between traumatic brain injury (TBI) and sleep. There is a need for more research on whether or not sleep-wake disturbances are a possible factor in cognitive function in pediatrics who have TBIs. This study investigates whether or not sleep questionnaires can be used to diagnose sleep disturbances compared to actigraphy measurements. First, we found if there was any correlation between TBIs and sleep, then found if there was any correlation between Sleep Disturbances Scale for Children (SDSC) and Children’s ChronoType Questionnaire (CCTQ) to Wrist Watch Actigraphy for certain variables such as sleep duration and sleep period. Results indicate that children with TBIs have increased sleep disturbances compared to healthy controls and that the overall agreement was poor between questionnaires and actigraphy, especially for sleep latency and efficiency measures. However, CCTQ questionnaires could be further investigated as a possible test to be used to diagnose sleep-wake disturbances, as there is some correlation. As a result, further research is required to determine variables with stronger correlations between questionnaires and actigraphy in different subpopulations.

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