Sleep disturbances — including insomnia and circadian rhythm disruption — are a common and clinically significant challenge in patients with Parkinson's disease. Identifying and addressing these problems requires a structured, stepwise approach.
This protocol applies to patients with Parkinson's disease who present with insomnia or a circadian rhythm disorder. Before initiating specific management, the protocol calls for systematic exclusion of underlying or contributing causes — including medication-related effects and primary sleep disorders such as sleep-related breathing disorders.
Once specifically treatable causes have been ruled out, the protocol addresses sleep disturbances through a combination of non-pharmacological strategies. The full structured regimen — including sequencing, selection criteria, and supporting evidence — is available via the link below.
DOI: 10.1186/s42466-024-00325-4
In cases of insomnia or circadian rhythm disorders, underlying causes such as medication side effects and/or primary sleep disorders like SBAS should be ruled out.
After excluding specifically treatable causes of sleep disorders, these should be treated with sleep hygiene measures, intensive physical training, and light therapy.
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