1048 Ambulatory Sleep EEG in Post-Stroke Hospitalization

Abstract Introduction An important function of sleep is neuroplasticity, which is essential to functional recovery after stroke. However, inpatient acute care settings may not be conducive to restful and consolidated sleep. The goals of the present study were to test the feasibility of using wearable technology to objectively quantify sleep during inpatient stay in the first few days of hospitalization post stroke and examine relations of sleep quality and architecture with stroke severity. Methods Data collection is ongoing, preliminary analyses are based on 8 patients (5F/3M, 41-78 yrs, mean age=61.7 yrs). A headband style EEG acquisition device (Sleep Profiler) was used for one night (0-8 days following a first-ever stroke, mean=3 days) either in ICU or neurology inpatient floors. Sleep was scored based on standard AASM criteria. The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was administered to assess stroke/disability severity. Results We observed great variability in sleep duration (2.1-6.2 hrs, mean=4.1 hrs), sleep efficiency (29-81%, mean=51%) and increased time spent in N3 (compared to standard sleep architecture; 21.2-72.8%, mean=41.7% of total sleep time). Stroke severity correlated with WASO (r=.82, p=.02) and time spent in supine position after sleep onset (r=.83, p=.02). Conclusion While preliminary, these findings identify profound sleep restriction and fragmentation experienced by stroke survivors during the first few days of hospitalization. Further, stroke severity predicts increased sleep fragmentation, possibly due to more intensive medical care required. Future plans involve examining long-term cognitive and functional outcomes in patients to test the hypothesis that better sleep during the acute phase of stroke enhances recovery. Support (if any) Iowa Neuroscience Institute Research Program of Excellence