Epidemiology of Sleep-Related Movement Disorders

Abstract

Sleep-related movement disorders comprises eight diagnoses: restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD), sleep-related leg cramps, sleep-related bruxism, sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder (seen only in infants and children), and sleep-related movement disorder unspecified, due to a medical condition or due to drug or substance. These disorders involve characteristic, stereotyped movements that often disturb sleep. In other parasomnias, which involve body movements and lead to sleep disruption such as sleepwalking or REM sleep behavior disorder, the movements are more complex and appear as purposeful and goal-directed behaviors. At the other extreme is sleep paralysis, which is characterized by the impossibility of movement for seconds or minutes upon sleep onset or upon awakening. This chapter discusses the epidemiology of these sleep movement disorders.