Background: Fatigue and sleep problems are common after traumatic brain injury (TBI) and are experienced as highly distressing symptoms, playing a significant role in the recovery trajectory and can drastically impact the quality of life and societal participation of the patient and their family and friends. However, the etiology and development of these symptoms is still uncertain. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the development of fatigue and sleep problems following moderate to severe TBI and explore the changes in underlying biological (pain, brain damage), psychological (emotional state) and social (support family, participation) factors across time. Methods: Longitudinal multicenter observational cohort study with four measurement points (3, 6, 12 and 18 months post injury) including subjective questionnaires and cognitive tasks, preceded by 7 nights of actigraphy combined with a sleep diary. Recruitment of 137 moderate to severe TBI patients presenting at emergency and neurology departments or rehabilitation centers across the Netherlands is anticipated. Results: The evolution of fatigue and sleep problems following TBI and their association with possible underlying biological (pain, brain damage), psychological (emotional state) and social (support family, participation) factors will be examined.
Conclusion:To the authors' knowledge this study is the first study that examines the development of both post-TBI fatigue and sleep longitudinally within a biopsychosocial model in moderate to severe TBI using both subjective and objective measures. Identification of modifiable factors such as mood and psychosocial stressors may give direction to the development of interventions for fatigue and sleep problems post-TBI.