Sleep disorder also linked to greater difficulty with everyday activities
Written by Patricia Inácio, PhD | Oct. 5, 2026
- REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in Parkinson’s disease was tied to a broader range of motor, psychiatric, and daily-function problems than insomnia or sleep apnea.
- RBD was strongly linked to bradykinesia, hallucinations, and difficulties with several activities needed for independent living.
- Long-term studies are needed to confirm these findings and determine whether treating sleep disorders can improve motor symptoms, independence, or other outcomes.
People with Parkinson’s disease with REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) showed a broader pattern of motor, psychiatric, and daily-function problems than those with insomnia or sleep apnea, according to a large database study.
RBD was particularly strongly associated with slowed movement, or bradykinesia, and hallucinations, as well as difficulties with several everyday activities. Having multiple sleep disorders was also associated with progressively greater clinical impairment. Additionally, the results suggested that motor impairment may partly help explain the association between sleep problems and difficulty performing daily activities, although the researchers stressed that the study cannot establish cause and effect.
Sleep disorders show different patterns of problems in Parkinson’s
“Overall, distinct sleep disorders in [Parkinson’s disease] were associated with different functional profiles,” researchers wrote, adding that the findings require confirmation in studies that follow patients over time before they can be translated into clinical practice.
The study, “Beyond motor symptoms: associations between sleep disorders and multidomain functional decline in Parkinson’s disease,” was published in the journal npj Parkinson’s Disease.
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disease best known for motor symptoms such as tremor, muscle stiffness, and bradykinesia. But the disease also causes a range of nonmotor symptoms that can substantially affect quality of life and independence.
Sleep problems are particularly common, affecting as many as 90% of people with Parkinson’s at some point during the disease. Common examples include RBD, insomnia, and sleep apnea.
RBD occurs when the normal temporary paralysis of muscles during REM sleep is lost, causing people to physically act out their dreams. Insomnia involves problems falling or staying asleep, while sleep apnea involves repeated pauses or reductions in breathing during sleep.
Sleep disturbances have been linked to motor problems, cognitive difficulties, and psychiatric symptoms in Parkinson’s. They may also affect instrumental activities of daily living — more complex everyday tasks needed for independent living, such as preparing meals, shopping, managing finances, and using transportation.
According to the researchers, however, most prior research has examined a single type of sleep disorder or a single area of functioning at a time.
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