Periodic limb movement disorder
Peretz Lavie, Giora Pillar, Atul Malhotra in Sleep Disorders Handbook, 2002
Periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), also known as nocturnal myoclonus or periodic movements in sleep, is a disorder of intermittent movements of the extremities during sleep. It usually affects the legs, but occasionally the arms. The movements are periodic, highly stereotypical, and may or may not be associated with arousals from sleep. As PLMD frequently causes sleep fragmentation and consequently nocturnal insomnia, we also discuss it in Chapter 8. When it exists without arousals or sleepiness, however, it may be classified under undesired movements during sleep (see Chapter 8).
Major Sleep Disorders
Clete A. Kushida in Sleep Deprivation, 2004
Major sleep disorders, independent of whether the dominant complaint is excessive daytime sleepiness or initiating or maintaining sleep, include a sleep deprivation component. Awakenings and arousals were defined based on electroencephalographic recordings using central leads. Some investigators tried to define “awakenings” behaviorally by analyzing continuous video recordings. Periodic limb movement disorder, originally described by Symonds as “nocturnal myoclonus”, was questioned as being an epileptic equivalent. Restless legs syndrome is a dysesthesia that presents an important circadian relationship. Objective evaluations of the consequences of the sleep fragmentation are few in number. Most of them have been performed through studies of sleep-disordered breathing syndromes: upper airway resistance syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Insomnias are a cause of sleep deprivation. Menopause is also associated with sleep disruption. Often the reaction to this component will lead to a worsening of abnormal sleep, impacting on sleep hygiene, circadian timing of sleep-wake, and/or conditioning against sleep.
A Brief History of Recent Developments in the Treatment of Sleep Disorders
William C. Kohler, Peter J. Kurz in Hypnosis in the Management of Sleep Disorders, 2017
Humans have always had an interest in sleep. With the advancement of scientific exploration, the evaluation and treatment of sleep disorders became possible. A meeting of sleep researchers was held in 1960 for the purpose of adopting a standard scoring system for stages of sleep. A standard scoring system was not adopted at that time but the charter members agreed to meet annually to communicate their research findings. The Association for the Psychophysiological Study of Sleep was formed in 1964. Insomnia is a major sleep problem which most people have experienced at some point in their life. By definition, insomnia is difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep, or non-restorative sleep. Parasomnia is an experiential phenomenon that occurs around the time of sleep. These phenomena or undesirable events may occur on entering sleep, within sleep, or during arousal from sleep. Sleep-related movement disorders include sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder, sleep-related bruxism, sleep-related leg cramps, periodic limb movement disorder, and restless-legs syndrome.
Cognitive and Behavioral Anomalies Among Insomnia Patients With Mixed Restless Legs and Periodic Limb Movement Disorder
Published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 2003
This study examined whether patients who have periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), with or without comorbid restless legs syndrome (RLS), display the sleep-disruptive cognitive and behavioral anomalies found among primary insomnia sufferers. Archival data from a Sleep History Questionnaire, home-based polysomnography, and a sleep log were obtained for matched RLS/PLMD, primary insomnia, and noncomplaining volunteer samples. Statistical comparisons showed that the RLS/PLMD and primary insomnia samples differed significantly from the normal sleepers in regard to their propensities for certain sleep disruptive habits, perceived difficulties controlling pre-sleep cognitive activity, and their subjective sleep appraisals. These findings suggest RLS/PLMD patients display many of the cognitive and behavioral anomalies thought to perpetuate primary insomnia. Hence, behavioral interventions may be warranted for RLS/PLMD patients.
Parents of Children With Periodic Limb Movement Disorder Versus Sleep-Disordered Breathing Report Greater Daytime Mood and Behavior Difficulties in Their Child: The Importance of Using ICSD–2nd Edition Criteria to Define a PLMD Study Group
Published in Behavioral Sleep Medicine, 2009
Jane Gaultney, Kunal Merchant, Jeannine Gingras
Data from 249 children referred to a pediatric sleep clinic were analyzed. The first question of interest examined whether an International Classification of Sleep Disorders–Second Edition (ICSD–2)-based diagnosis of periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD) or sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) would more strongly associate with parental perceptions of daytime attention and behavior problems in their child. The second question was whether the outcome would differ based on PLMD diagnostic criteria—that is, previously used criteria to define PLMD (Periodic Limb Movement Index [PLMI] < 5 per hour vs. PLMI ≥ 5 per hour only) versus the ICSD–2 criteria. Parents of children with ICSD–2-defined PLMD perceived more problems with daytime behavior and attention, more symptoms of internalizing and externalizing, longer sleep latency, and more difficulty falling back to sleep than did parents of children with SDB. Most effects were lost when groups were defined by PLMI alone. The PLMI had acceptable sensitivity but low specificity in diagnosing PLMD.
Assessment and treatment of disturbed sleep in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Published in Expert Review of Neurotherapeutics, 2004
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder affects 3–5% of children in the USA, and is commonly accompanied by disrupted sleep in the form of insomnia, restless sleep or excessive daytime tiredness. In addition, daytime inattention and hyperactivity which mimicks attention deficit hyperactivity disorder can result from intrinsic sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea or periodic limb movement disorder. In most cases, the correct clinical evaluation permits appropriate diagnosis and management. Current research investigating the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and sleep, as well as general precepts of clinical assessment and treatment are reviewed.
Related Knowledge Centers
- REM
- Sleep Disorder
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Intrinsic Sleep Disorders
- Parasomnias
- Limb
- Atonia