Sleep Disturbances Effect on the Development of Disability Following a Motor Vehicle Collision: A Cohort Study

Authors

Bradford Callan, Pacific Northwest UniversityFollow
Morey J. Kolber, Nova Southeastern UniversityFollow
Joshua Cleland, Tufts University School of MedicineFollow
James M. Elliott, The University of SydneyFollow

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate sleep disturbance and calculate its effect on long-term outcomes for people with whiplash associated disorder (WAD) following a motor vehicle collision (MVC). Methods: A secondary analysis of data for 97 people (females = 72) diagnosed with WAD was collected at 10%. Logistic regression was used to calculate significance and odds ratios (OR) for the variables of age, body mass index (BMI), sex, and sleep disturbance. Results: With logistic regression age and BMI were non-significant factors, however, sex (ꭕ² = 9.37, p = 0.025; OR = 4.3) and sleep disturbance (ꭕ² = 17.56, p = 0.002; OR 5.4) were significant factors predicting persistent disability for people with WAD. Conclusion: Sleep disturbance has a moderate effect on the development of persistent WAD while no sleep disturbance is associated with recovery. Assessing and managing sleep disturbance in the health care setting may help to reduce some of the burden of chronic WAD.

Author Bio(s)

Brad Callan PT, PhD: Assistant professor at Pacific Northwest University School of Physical Therapy; Yakima, WA.

Morey J. Kolber PT, PhD: Professor at Nova Southeastern University School of Physical Therapy; Fort Lauderdale, FL.

Joshua Cleland PT, PhD: Professor in Department of Physical Therapy at Tufts University School of Medicine; Boston MA.

James Elliott PT, PhD: Professor, University of Sydney, Sydney, AU

Acknowledgements

This study was completed as partial fulfillment of a PhD dissertation at Nova Southeastern University and under a data share agreement with Northwestern University, Chicago, IL. USA. Data supplied originated from parent study, Neuromuscular Mechanisms Underlying Underlying Poor Recovery from Whiplash Injuries NIH R01 HD079076. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02157038. Acknowledgement to Dr. David Walton PT, PhD for his mentorship.

Recommended Citation

Callan B, Kolber MJ, Cleland J, Elliott JM. Sleep Disturbances Effect on the Development of Disability Following a Motor Vehicle Collision: A Cohort Study. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice. 2024 Oct 04;22(4), Article 27.