Sleep changes in Parkinson’s Disease

Issues with sleep quality can be among the most common and impactful non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, affecting most individuals at some stage of their condition.

The reasons for poor sleep in Parkinson's can be multiple. Nocturnal

stiffness, difficulty turning in bed, needing to wake in the night to urinate (nocturia), painful cramps and restless legs, can all disrupt sleep and cause daytime sleepiness.

One of the most distinct sleep-related features of Parkinson's is REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD). This is when the normal relaxing of our muscles that occurs during dreaming is disrupted and causes people to physically act out their dreams. Sometimes this involves shouting, punching, kicking, or falling out of bed.

Understandably, RBD can be stressful for both the individual with PD and their bed partner. This sleep disturbance can predate motor symptoms of the condition by years or even decades.

Improving sleep quality can have significant positive impacts on overall quality of life.

Addressing sleep problems in Parkinson's requires a systematic approach and may include medication reviews, implementing a sleep hygiene routine, ensuring some outdoor time during the day and avoiding screens at night.