Journal of Sleep Disorders: Treatment and CareISSN: 2325-9639

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Research Article, J Sleep Disor Treat Care Vol: 2 Issue: 4

Sleep Changes in Multiple Sclerosis: from the Individual�s Perspective

Lauren B Strober1,2* and Peter A Arnett3
1Kessler Foundation Research Center, West Orange, NJ, USA
2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, New Jersey Medical School, the State University of New Jersey, NJ, USA
3Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA
Corresponding author : Lauren B. Strober
300 Executive Drive, West Orange NJ 07052, USA
Tel: 973.324.8459; Fax: 973.324.8373
Email: lstrober@kesslerfoundation.org
Received: July 19, 2013 Accepted: November 06, 2013 Published: November 08, 2013
Citation: Strober LB, Arnett PA (2013) Sleep Changes in Multiple Sclerosis: from the Individual’s Perspective. J Sleep Disor: Treat Care 2:4. doi:10.4172/2325-9639.1000122

Abstract

Sleep Changes in Multiple Sclerosis: from the Individual’s Perspective

Sleep difficulties are common in multiple sclerosis (MS), with prevalence rates ranging from 36% to 62%. Sleep problems have been shown to have a grave impact on individuals in the general population and to contribute to reports of fatigue and reduced quality of life in MS. However, despite these high rates and overall impact, sleep problems in MS frequently go unrecognized. The present investigation sought to examine sleep changes among a sample of 97 individuals with MS and to gain a better appreciation as to what individuals with MS report as contributing to their change in sleep. Approximately 58% of participants complained of changes in their sleep. Among these 56 participants, bladder incontinence, muscle stiffness and leg spasms were most often endorsed as a contributor, with rates ranging from 57% to 63%. When asked about the primary attribution of their sleep change, the majority of individuals (43%) described problems with bladder incontinence. Following this, 17% and 15% reported worry and problems with leg spasms as the primary contributors, respectively. Furthermore, those who rated worry as their primary reason for change in their sleep also endorsed greater symptomatology of depression and anxiety. These findings suggest that sleep difficulties in MS may be a result of many physical and/or psychological symptoms. Proper identification of the etiology of sleep changes in MS is warranted in order to treat these problems and hopefully ameliorate individuals’ difficulty with sleep and fatigue.

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