Brain changes that are part of Parkinson's disease (PD) can also be the cause of sleep difficulties. Some people have sleep problems even before movement symptoms appear and PD is diagnosed. When a person with PD has disrupted sleep, their caregiver's sleep is also disrupted, impacting quality of life for both. Here are some resources to understand sleep issues in PD and how to cope with it.
Short Overviews
My Parkinson’s Story: Sleep Problems and Parkinson’s Disease
By Veterans Health Administration, February 2013
This eight-minute video describes one couple’s struggle with Parkinson’s-related nightmares and an overview of the types of sleep disturbances that may be experienced by those with PD. Methods of treatment are addressed.
Parkinson’s Disease and Sleep
Reviewed by David Rye, MD, and Mark Mahowald, MD. Published by National Sleep Foundation
This web article offers a detailed description of Parkinson’s disease and the challenges it presents to restorative rest and recuperation. Some suggestions are included for improving sleep and the environment around sleeping.
Sleep Problems
By Johan Samanta, MD, PC. Published by American Parkinson Disease Association
On this short webpage, a neurologist describes sleep problems experienced by Parkinson’s patients and medications that can help with symptoms.
There is also a 45-minute video from 2018 featuring Dr. Rafael Zuzuárregui, MD, on sleep issues in Parkinson's disease.
What are the common sleep disorders encountered in patients with PD?
By Parkinson's Foundation, February 19, 2010
In this eight-minute video, Dr. Tanya Simuni gives an overview of sleep related problems and why they may be more common in people with Parkinson’s disease. She defines terms and encourages listeners to discuss treatment options and symptom management with a neurologist.
Specialist Talks and Guidebooks
Getting Your Best Sleep in Parkinson's Disease
Published by Stanford APDA Information & Referral Center, October 25, 2024
The Palo Alto Parkinson’s Disease support group October 2024 meeting featured Mitchell Miglis, MD, Stanford autonomic disorders specialist. During the meeting, Dr. Miglis discussed sleep disturbances that can occur in PD, such as insomnia, restless leg syndrome, sleep apnea, and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), along with available treatments.
Good Night? Sleep, Rest, and Parkinson's
By Parkinson Canada, June 2024
This webinar begins with a person with Parkinson's sharing her Parkinson’s-related sleep challenges and how she manages those symptoms. At about 14 minutes neuropsychiatrist Emmanuel During, MD, discusses how sleep disturbances can impact energy during the day, attentiveness, motor symptom management, etc., as well as the impact on relationships. He also discusses pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions and strategies that can potentially help people living with Parkinson’s, and their partners, get the rest they need.
Sleep and Fatigue
Publshed by Parkinson Association of the Rockies, October 3, 2025
This hour-long webinar runs long in the Q&A portion. Dr. Emily Forbes discusses how PD and sleep disorders are related, the impact of sleep dysfunction on PD, treatment options, and research studies addressing sleep disorders and PD.
Sleep and Night-time Problems in Parkinson's
Publshed by Parkinson's UK, March 2019
This 32-page booklet examines the causes of and treatments for sleep problems in PD.
Sleep and Parkinson’s
By Davis Phinney Foundation, May 18, 2020
In this one-hour webinar, movement disorders specialist, Dr. Ronald Postuma discusses the types of sleep issues commonly seen in PD and measures that can help to mitigate them.
Webinar notes are on the Stanford PD Community Blog.
Sleep and PD
By Journal of Parkinson's Disease, March 6, 2020
This one-hour panel discussion covers what "sleep" is from a medical standpoint, how sleep can be disrupted in PD, whether sleep deprivation/disturbances can impact other symptoms of PD, sleep disorders as a predictor of neuro-degenerative diseases, and whether sleep disorders are driving or are a trigger of PD.
Sleep Matters: A Review of Sleep Issues in Parkinson's
By APDA Massacheusetts, October 12, 2021
In this one-hour webinar, Okeanis Vaou, MD, describes common sleep disorders in PD and how to treat them. Disorders described include REM sleep behavior disorder, daytime sleepiness, insomnia, nocturnal motor fluctuations, and restless leg syndrome. Dr. Vaou ends the webinar with tips on how to maintain good sleep hygiene.
Sleep: A Mind Guide to Parkinson’s Disease
Published by Parkinson’s Foundation, 2018
This 36-page booklet, which can be read online or downloaded, explains normal sleep patterns, the body clock, how much sleep we should get, challenges to sleeping well, tips for good sleep hygiene, and sleep in normal aging, before discussing symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders, including insomnia, REM sleep behavior disorder, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and daytime sleepiness.
There is also a webpage on sleep disorders in Parkinson's disease.
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
Hallucinations and REM Sleep Disorders in Parkinson's Disease
By Houston Area Parkinson Society, November 14, 2020
In this recording of the Thrive: HAPS 2020 Caregiver Conference, neurologist Joohi Jimenez-Shahed, MD, presents a one-hour talk beginning at 1:58:00 on REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD). She explains what RBD is and is not, distinguishes it from hallucinations, delusions, and delirium, and reviews management options for RBD and hallucinations.
Webinar notes are on the Stanford PD Community Blog.
Living Well With REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
By Davis Phinney Foundation, October 13, 2018
In this 20-minute podcast, Kelsey Phinney talks with her mother, Connie Carpenter Phinney, and movement disorder specialist, Benzi Kluger, about how critical sleep is for people with Parkinson’s, how REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) can impact relationships and different ways to manage it.
REM sleep behavior disorder
Published by Mayo Clinic
Overview of REM sleep behavior disorder, sometimes experienced by those with PD. Overview considers risk factors, causes, symptoms, and treatments.
Last updated August 2025 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.