TUESDAY, March 11, 2025 (HealthDay News) — There is a significant association between sleep quantity and quality in the first week postconcussion and youth recovery outcomes, according to a study published online Feb. 26 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Olivia VonDeylen, from Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio, and colleagues examined bidirectional associations between objective measures of sleep quantity and quality with postconcussion symptom scores in youth with concussion during the first week postinjury. The analysis included 78 youth (11 to 17 years) with a physician-diagnosed concussion.

The researchers observed significant bidirectional associations between postconcussion symptom scores and both total sleep time and daytime total sleep in the first week postinjury. There was an association between increased daytime sleep and lower likelihood of symptom resolution (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.88), while an optimal total sleep time of 418 minutes per day was associated with an increased likelihood of symptom resolution (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.1).

“We know sleep is an important part of concussion recovery, yet youth often experience sleep disturbances during this period. This study showed that youth with concussion may benefit from monitoring sleep quality. Clinical trials are necessary to determine the optimal timing, duration, and quality of sleep that support concussion recovery among youth,” coauthor Amy Valasek, M.D., also from Nationwide Children’s Hospital, said in a statement. “It is vital for clinicians to actively engage in counseling pediatric patients and provide guidance on appropriate sleep hygiene to aid in concussion recovery among youth.”

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