Sleep medicine
-
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) is a widely used measure of subjective sleep disturbance in clinical populations, including individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Although the severity of sleep disturbance is generally represented by a global symptom score, recent factor analytic studies suggest that the PSQI is better characterized by a two- or three-factor model than a one-factor model. This study examined the replicability of two- and three-factor models of the PSQI, as well as the relationship between PSQI factors and health outcomes, in a female sample with PTSD. ⋯ These results support the multidimensional structure of the PSQI. Despite this, the global PSQI score has as much or more explanatory power as individual PSQI factors in predicting health outcomes.
-
Comparative Study
Sleepiness and fatigue following traumatic brain injury.
To compare individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to healthy controls (CTLs) on measures of sleepiness, fatigue, and sleep, and explore correlates of sleepiness and fatigue separately for each group. ⋯ Fatigue appeared to be a more prominent symptom than sleepiness when assessed between 1 and 11 years after TBI. Participants with TBI used compensatory strategies such as increasing time spent in bed and daytime napping in this sample. Future research should document the time course of sleepiness and fatigue after TBI and investigate treatment options.
-
To evaluate the efficacy and side effect profile of sodium oxybate in the treatment for narcolepsy-cataplexy in the pediatric age group. ⋯ Sodium oxybate is effective in alleviating sleepiness and cataplexy in childhood onset narcolepsy-cataplexy. The therapeutic response was sustained over time, and without development of tolerance. Forty percent of the subjects experienced adverse effects.