Brain changes that are part of Parkinson's disease (PD) can also cause 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.
Downloadable Documents | Online Articles | Podcasts & Webinars
Sleep: A Mind Guide to Parkinson’s Disease
Published by the Parkinson’s Foundation, 2018
This 36-page booklet (PDF) 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.
Sleep and Night-time Problems in Parkinson's
Publshed by Parkinson's UK, March 2019
This 24-page booklet (PDF) examines the causes of and treatments for sleep problems in PD.
Parkinson’s Disease and Sleep
Reviewed by David Rye, MD, and Mark Mahowald, MD. Published by the 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 the 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.
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.
Sleep and Parkinson’s Disease
Published by the Stanford PD Community Blog, February 12, 2020
The Palo Alto Parkinson’s Disease support group February 2020 meeting featured Dr. Emmanuel During, a Stanford sleep medicine neurologist. During the meeting, Dr. During discusses sleep disturbances that can occur in PD, such as insomnia, restles legs syndrome, sleep apnea, and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), along with available treatments. There's a question and answer session.
Sleep Disorders
Published by the National Parkinson Foundation (Now the Parkinson's Foundation)
This page discusses the most common sleep issues for people with Parkinson's disease, tips for better sleep, treating excessive daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea and REM sleep behavior disorder.
Why is it So Hard to Sleep Now That I Have Parkinson’s?
Published by the Davis Phinney Foundation, January 3, 2017
This blog post discusses how Parkinson’s can affect sleep, causes of sleep problems in Parkinson’s, medications that improve sleep, and other ways to improve sleep as well as a brief explanation of REM sleep behavior disorder.
Getting Your Best Sleep in Parkinson's Disease
Published by the 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, restles legs syndrome, sleep apnea, and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), along with available treatments.
Getting Your Best Sleep with Parkinson’s
By Partners in Parkinson’s, April 13, 2016 (Now available through the Michael J. Fox Foundation)
This 1-hour webinar includes an interview of a person with Parkinson’s disease, a movement disorders specialist, and a sleep sciences specialist. They discuss sleep disorders associated with Parkinson’s disease, the difference between those that are a symptom the disease or a side-effect of medication, and how to treat them and live your best life with a sleep disorder. [Registration is required, but is free.]
Good Night: Sleep and Parkinson’s Disease
By the American Parkinson Disease Association, West Coast Parkinson’s Educational Forum, October 2018
Lack of good sleep can worsen Parkinson’s symptoms. In this 45-minute lecture, Dr. Rafael Zuzuárregui addresses causes of sleep loss and the latest treatments for: insomnia, restless leg syndrome, REM sleep behavior disorder, nocturnal urination, hallucinations, wearing off of medication, dystonia and sleep apnea.
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.
Hallucinations and REM Sleep Disorders in Parkinson's Disease
By the Houston Area Parkinson Society, November 14, 2020
At timestamp 1:58 in this recording of Thrive: HAPS 2020 Caregiver Conference, you will find a one hour talk by neurologist Joohi Jimenez-Shahed, MD. In it she delves into what REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is and is not, and the distinctions between hallucinations, delusions, and delirium. Managment options for RBD and hallucinations are included.
Webinar notes on the Stanford PD Community Blog
Living Well With REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
By the Davis Phinney Foundation, October 13, 2018
In this 20-minute podcast Kelsey Phinney talks 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.
My Parkinson’s Story: Sleep Problems and Parkinson’s Disease
By the Veterans Health Administration, February 2013
This 8-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.
Sleep and Parkinson’s
By the Davis Phinney Foundation, May 18, 2020
In this 1-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 on the Stanford PD Community Blog
Sleep and Parkinson’s
By the Parkinson’s Foundation, June 13, 2017
This 1-hour webinar by neurologist Aleksandar Videnovic explains that problems with sleep and alertness may, or may not, be caused by Parkinson’s disease. Nocturnal sleep disturbances discussed include causes, diagnosis, safety risks and treatment (including light therapy) of sleep fragmentation, REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD), restless leg syndrome (RLS), sleep apnea, excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS).
Sleep and PD
By the Journal of Parkinson's Disease, March 6, 2020
This 1-hour panel discussion coveres 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 neurodegenerative diseases, and whether sleep disorders are driving or are a trigger of PD.
Sleep Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease
By the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s, June 18, 2013
In this 17-minute lecture Dr Gary Leo discuses sleep challenges caused by the neurochemical changes, medications and mood disturbances of Parkinson’s disease, and normal changes of aging. He discusses possible causes and treatment options of sleep maintenance insomnia, REM Sleep Behavior Disorder, daytime sleepiness, sleep apnea, and restless leg syndrome, ending with some tips for good sleep.
Sleep Disturbances in Parkinson’s Disease
By the UCSF Conference on Parkinson’s Disease, November 13, 2010
In this half hour lecture Dr. Graham Glass discusses common sleep and fatigue issues in Parkinson’s disease, their causes and treatments. [There is an 24 second audio loss at the 11:00 time stamp.]
Sleep Matters: A Review of Sleep Issues in Parkinson's
By APDA Massacheusetts, October 12, 2021
Sleep disorders are present in 66-99% of people with Parkinson's disease (PD). In this 1-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 Problems and Parkinson's Disease
By the Veteran's Administration
This 8-minute video alternates between an interview with a vet and his wife and a doctor. The vet shares how he thought his REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) was PTSD nightmares. The doctor explains RBD, safety precautions and medications that can minimize RBD symptoms.
What are the common sleep disorders encountered in patients with PD?
By the National Parkinson Foundation (Now the Parkinson's Foundation), February 19, 2010
In this 8-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.
Last updated December 2023 by Stanford Parkinson's Community Outreach.
