Sleep disturbances

Sleep disturbances are common and often significant, affecting up to 60-80% of people living with Parkinson’s (1). These disturbances can take various forms, including difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings during the night, restless legs syndrome (RLS), and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder.

REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is particularly prevalent, characterised by acting out dreams physically, which can lead to injury for you or your bed partner. Sleep disturbances are thought to result from a combination of factors, including changes in the brain’s neurotransmitter systems, medication effects, motor symptoms disrupting sleep patterns, and the presence of other coexisting conditions such as depression or anxiety.

Proper management involves a comprehensive approach that may include adjusting medications, addressing motor symptoms that interfere with sleep, treating coexisting conditions, practising good sleep hygiene, and potentially using medications to improve sleep quality. Managing sleep disturbances effectively can significantly enhance overall wellbeing and quality of life, so speak to your care team about your symptoms and management solutions.