Sleep problems affect more than 75% people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and can have a significant impact on day to day life. Common challenges include difficulty falling or staying asleep, excessive sleepiness during the day, and acting out dreams while asleep.

This episode focuses on REM (Rapid Eye Movement) Sleep Behavior Disorder, or RBD, a condition in which people may verbally and/or physically act out their dreams. These instances can increase the risk of injury for both the person with Parkinson’s and their bed partner, making awareness and symptom management especially important.

We invited Dr. Aleksandar Videnovic, Chief of the Division of Sleep Neurology at Massachusetts General Brigham, along with Caron Gan and John Poma, members of the NAPS Consortium on REM Sleep Behavior Disorders, to share insights on what RBD is, why it happens, and strategies for managing symptoms.

Key Takeaways:

• Growing research shows that RBD can precede a Parkinson’s diagnosis by several years.

• RBD symptoms can change over time and may include physically and/or verbally acting out dreams.

• Sleep disturbances and fragmented sleep can contribute to fatigue and may worsen other PD symptoms.

Practical Strategies:

• Remove objects near the bed that may cause injury.

• Lower the bed or mattress to reduce the risk of falls.

• Create a consistent sleep schedule.

• Keep a sleep diary to track symptoms and patterns.

• Find an “RBD buddy” to share stories and tips.

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