Effects of hypnotics on sleep patterns and functional recovery of patients with subacute stroke.
OBJECTIVE
To identify relationships between sleep patterns and functional outcomes in patients with subacute stroke with insomnia.


METHODS
We prospectively studied 30 patients with subacute stroke. Each patient completed the St. Mary's Hospital sleep questionnaire, the Korean modified Barthel index, a computerized neuropsychological test, and the Beck depression inventory. The time interval between baseline and follow-up was 3 wks. Patients with insomnia were all treated with hypnotics, and patients were divided into two groups according to sleep patterns.


RESULTS
Poor sleep quality, decreased total sleep time, and increased frequency of nocturnal awakening were observed in patients with insomnia, but sleep patterns improved, when hypnotics were administered, to levels comparable with those of the (noninsomnia) control group. There was no significant difference in functional, cognitive, or depressive status between the insomnia and noninsomnia groups at baseline, but attention in patients with insomnia tended to be lower. At follow-up, functional and cognitive status had improved in both groups, and there was no significant difference between the two groups in sleep quality, sleep time, or nocturnal awakening.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with stroke with insomnia showed poor sleep patterns. Active management improved sleep patterns and helped such patients achieve functional and cognitive outcomes equivalent to those attained by patients without insomnia.
Kim
Chung Reen
CR
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Chun
Min Ho
MH
Han
Eun Young
EY
D000328:Adult; D010054:Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D020127:Recovery of Function; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation
D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives