For many people living with Parkinson’s disease, involuntary movements like tremors may stop during sleep.

But this isn’t the case for everyone with the neurological condition. Experts estimate that up to 6 in 10 people with Parkinson’s disease experience motor symptoms at night that can impact sleep.

Tremors, in particular, can make falling asleep more difficult. This can result in sleep deprivation from sleep-onset insomnia, a type of insomnia that occurs when you have difficulty falling asleep.

There’s currently no cure for Parkinson’s disease or a specific treatment for managing nighttime tremors. Treatment will depend on the stage of your condition and the severity of your symptoms.

A doctor may prescribe an extended-release medication to manage nighttime tremors and improve sleep onset. Extended-release means the active ingredient is released slowly in the body, which can help it remain active during sleep.

Some medications include rotigotine (Neupro), ropinirole, and pramipexole.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) may also help improve sleep in people with Parkinson’s. Experts think this might be due to DBS’s effects on managing involuntary movements, but more research is needed to understand its role in Parkinson’s management.

Finding care and support

Resources like Healthline’s Parkinson’s disease hub can help you find tools, clarity, and guidance on navigating your care options and finding support.

While Parkinson’s tremors may impact your sleep quality, the condition is also associated with several sleeping disorders that can impact your quality of life. These may include:

There may be a bilateral relationship between Parkinson’s disease and sleeping disorders. Parkinson’s may increase the risk of sleeping disorders, but having a sleeping disorder may also increase the risk of Parkinson’s.

Each condition may also exacerbate the symptoms of the other.

If your tremors are starting to affect your sleep, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They can assess your symptoms and help develop a treatment plan to increase your sleep and quality of life.