Abstract: Objective To explore the type of circadian rhythms and risk factors for post-stroke insomnia. Methods From January, 2012 to June, 2014, the patients with cerebral middle artery infarction were divided into insomnia group (n=25) and control group (n=25). The general characterizations of the patients were collected. They were assessed with Morning and Evening Questionnaire (MEQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Results The MEQ score was lower in the insomnia group than in the control group (t=2.676, P<0.05). The frequency of moderate night type (20%) and absoluteness night type (4%) were higher in the insomnia group than in the control group. High score (>11) of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) was the independent risk foctor for post-stroke insomnia (OR=1.463, 95% CI=1.112-1.925). The scores of ESS, PSQI, ISI and FSS were higher in the insomnia group than in the control group (t>5.609, P<0.001). The scores of ESS (r=0.334, P<0.05), FSS (r=0.535, P<0.01), PSQI (r=0.461, P=0.001) and ISI (r=0.504, P<0.01) were positively correlated with the NIHSS score. Conclusion The patients with post-stroke insomnia impair in circadian rhythms. High NIHSS score is the independent risk factor for post-stroke insomnia.

Key words: stroke, insomnia, circadian rhythms impairment, risk factor