This study looked at the sleep quality of military Service members and Veterans who experience dizziness compared to those who do not experience dizziness.
Why This Matters
Dizziness is relatively common in the military population, often linked to mild traumatic brain injuries (mTBI), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), blast exposures, or other health issues. Poor sleep is also a significant concern among Service members and Veterans. Both dizziness and inadequate sleep can increase the risk of falls, thereby increasing the likelihood of injury.
What the Researchers Did
The team analyzed data from over 1,500 Service members and Veterans who were part of the NOISE study (Noise Outcomes in Service members Epidemiology). Participants completed surveys to obtain information on: demographics; previous history of injury; symptoms of PTSD, anxiety, and depression; and sleep issues (sleep disorders and daytime sleepiness)
The researchers separated participants into two groups for comparison based on:
- Those who reported dizziness (sometimes, most of the time, or always).
- Those who reported no dizziness or only rarely.
They then examined how often people in each group also reported experiencing sleep problems.
Key Findings
- Dizziness was common: 22% of Service members and 32% of Veterans reported dizziness. Most first noticed symptoms around age 28.
- Women were more likely than men to report dizziness.
- Other health conditions mattered: People with a history of TBI, PTSD, anxiety, depression, headaches, or hearing loss were more likely to report dizziness.
- Sleep problems were strongly linked to dizziness:
- 60% of those with dizziness had a sleep disorder (versus 32% without dizziness).
- Over half of those with dizziness also experienced excessive daytime sleepiness.
- After accounting for other health factors, Service members and Veterans with dizziness were about 1.7 times more likely to have a sleep disorder and 1.6 times more likely to have excessive daytime sleepiness than those without dizziness.
What This Means
The study shows a clear connection between dizziness and poor sleep in Service members and Veterans. Because these problems can feed into each other, the authors recommend that healthcare providers:
- Screen for sleep issues in anyone reporting dizziness.
- Evaluate for obstructive sleep apnea and treat chronic insomnia appropriately.
- Consider vestibular rehabilitation therapy, which may help with both dizziness and sleep problems.
- Promote sleep hygiene with other interventions vs standalone treatment
Takeaway
For Service members and Veterans, dizziness and sleep problems often go hand in hand. Addressing both issues together—through screening, treatment, and rehabilitation—could improve health, safety, and ultimately quality of life in this population.
Source: Hoppes CW, Erbele ID, Lambert KH, et al. Sleep quality of service members and veterans with and without reports of dizziness. Journal of Vestibular Research. 2025;0(0). doi:10.1177/09574271251338696
Reviewed by Denise Schneider, DPT, FAAOMPT, ATC
