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Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is recommended as a first-line therapy for post-concussion sleep disturbances

A scoping review of 19 studies found that CBT was the most commonly studied intervention for post-concussion sleep disturbances (n=3). The review supports current guidelines recommending CBT as first-line therapy, but notes that higher-quality evidence is needed before other interventions are incorporated into routine practice, especially for children.

Last updated: Aug 6, 2026•0 RCTs•📖 Read as article →

Evidence Score

Evidence Score32/100
Human RCT☆☆☆☆☆
Meta-analysis☆☆☆☆☆
Mechanism★★★★★
Safety★★★★☆
Confidencelow

Study Evidence

Study 1. Treatment of Post-Concussion Sleep Disturbances in Children and Adults: A Scoping Review.

observational

Thompson S, Moors B, Hayduk-Costa G, Trier J · The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation (2026)

Participants: N/A
Duration: N/A
Intervention: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) for post-concussion sleep disturbances
Outcome: Improvement in post-concussion sleep disturbances (subjective measures using validated scoring tools)
Effect Size: N/A
Population: Children and adults with post-concussion sleep disturbances (only 4 of 19 studies conducted exclusively in children ≤18 years)

Result:

PubMed: 42509620DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000001203

Mechanism Graph

CBT addresses maladaptive thoughts and behaviors related to sleep
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Patients learn sleep hygiene, stimulus control, and cognitive restructuring
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Improved sleep patterns reduce post-concussion symptom burden
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Result: Reduced sleep disturbance and potentially shorter recovery time

Limitations

  • ⚠Only 19 studies were included from an initial yield of 3660 articles, indicating limited evidence base
  • ⚠Over half of studies used subjective measures (validated scoring tools) rather than objective sleep assessments
  • ⚠Only 4 studies focused exclusively on children, limiting generalizability to pediatric populations

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most commonly studied treatment for post-concussion sleep disturbances?▼

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was the most commonly studied intervention, with 3 studies included in this scoping review.

What percentage of concussion patients develop sleep disturbances?▼

Studies have shown that 30%-70% of individuals who sustain a concussion develop a post-injury sleep disturbance.

Is CBT recommended for children with post-concussion sleep problems?▼

The review supports current guidelines recommending CBT as first-line therapy, but notes that higher-quality evidence is needed before other interventions are incorporated into routine practice, particularly for children.

What other treatments were studied for post-concussion sleep disturbances?▼

Other treatments included blue-light therapy, photobiomodulation, melatonin, educational intervention, trauma-focused psychotherapy, acoustic neuromodulation, gabapentin, hand self-shiatsu, interdisciplinary rehabilitation, and music therapy.

Products

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References

  1. 1.Thompson S, Moors B, Hayduk-Costa G, Trier J. "Treatment of Post-Concussion Sleep Disturbances in Children and Adults: A Scoping Review.." The Journal of head trauma rehabilitation, 2026. PMID: 42509620 DOI: 10.1097/HTR.0000000000001203
Disclaimer: This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Evidence scores reflect the quality and quantity of available research, not clinical recommendations. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement or intervention.