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According to a new study, stroke patients experienced sustained problems with insomnia potentially reducing their ability to relearn key skills and putting them at increased risk of depression.
Researchers from the University of Surrey, University of Freiburg, Germany, and the University of Bern, Switzerland, conducted an in depth sleep laboratory experiment to compare the brain signals of patients in the chronic state-one year post-stroke and the general population.
Using a polysomnogram (PSG) test, which assesses the brains’ sleeping patterns over two nights, researchers found that it took stroke patients longer to fall asleep and they had poorer sleep efficiency-the ratio of time spent asleep comparted to the time spent in bed than those who had not experienced a stroke.
A multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), also showed that stroke patients were less likely to fall asleep during the day to compensate for lost sleep at night. They were more prone to errors in a vigilance test, this increases their risk of cognitive failures. Sleep problems experienced by stroke patients are due to psychological strain, pain and discomfort.
Annette Sterr, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuropsychology at the University of Surrey, said the research shows that those who have suffered from stroke maintain difficulties with their sleep which is likely to affect the overall recovery and quality of life. The importance of sleep in aiding the recovery of patients should not be underestimated in improving and maintaining physical and mental wellbeing.
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