Summary:
A new study from Maynooth University, based on data from over 38,000 Parkinson’s disease patients gathered by the Michael J. Fox Foundation, highlights the widespread prevalence of sleep disturbances in this population. The research, published in the Journal of Sleep Research, found that sleep issues are significantly more common in Parkinson’s patients compared to the general population. These disturbances were strongly associated with worsening depression, decreased independence, and a lower quality of life. The study also linked poor sleep to more severe “OFF periods,” when Parkinson’s medication effects wear off. Researchers emphasize the importance of addressing sleep problems as part of Parkinson’s disease management.
Key Takeaways:
- Widespread Sleep Issues in Parkinson’s – The study found that 84% of Parkinson’s patients report sleep disturbances, a much higher prevalence than in the general population.
- Impact on Mental Health and Daily Functioning – Sleep problems were strongly linked to increased depression, greater difficulty with independent living, and an overall decline in quality of life.
- Connection to Medication Effectiveness – Poor sleep was associated with more severe “OFF periods,” when the effects of Parkinson’s medication diminish, exacerbating symptoms.
A new study by researchers at Ireland’s Maynooth University, based on patient data gathered by the US-based Michael J. Fox Foundation, found that 84% of patients with Parkinson’s disease report sleep issues.
The Maynooth University study, carried out by researchers at the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research and the Department of Psychology, was published in the Journal of Sleep Research. The research team analyzed data from over 38,000 Parkinson’s patients, gathered by the Michael J. Fox Foundation.
This database includes insights into the patients’ experiences with Parkinson’s, as well as details on their mental health, cognition, and sleep patterns. The findings revealed that 84% of patients with Parkinson’s disease report experiencing sleep issues—significantly higher than the general population of the same age group.
The study highlights the direct consequences of these sleep problems: They were found to be strongly linked to increased symptoms of depression, greater difficulty with independent living, and an overall decline in quality of life.
Furthermore, sleep disturbances were found to worsen the severity of “OFF periods,” the times when the effects of Parkinson’s medication diminish, leaving patients vulnerable to a return of debilitating symptoms.
Sleep’s Role in Parkinson’s Symptom Management
The study was led by PhD candidate Ziba Asadpoordezaki, research fellow Beverley Henley, PhD, and Maynooth University’s professor Andrew Coogan, PhD, who say in a release: “Sleep problems are a significant burden to quality of life in a number of chronic health conditions. Our study shows how important sleep is to address in Parkinson’s disease, one of the most common and debilitating brain diseases.”
Coogan also notes the key enablers of their research: “The research database from the Michael J. Fox Foundation that we drew on in our study is a great example of the wonderful opportunities presented by large international studies for research that will help advance key questions in human health and benefit patients.
“In order to best take advantage of such opportunities, we also need collaborations between colleagues, such as facilitated in our study by the Kathleen Lonsdale Institute for Human Health Research at MU, which brings together colleagues with different expertise in health-related research.”
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