Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2019 Apr-Jun;12(2):116-121.
doi: 10.5935/1984-0063.20190064.

Exercise as a favorable non-pharmacologic treatment to Sleep-Related Movement Disorders: a review

Beatriz Franco  1 , Paulo Daubian-Nosé  2 , Marco Túlio De-Mello  3 , Andrea Maculano Esteves  2
Affiliations
Review

Exercise as a favorable non-pharmacologic treatment to Sleep-Related Movement Disorders: a review

Beatriz Franco et al. Sleep Sci. 2019 Apr-Jun.

Abstract

Non-pharmacologic treatments of Sleep-Related Movement Disorders (SRMD) are already well described in the literature. The physical activity has been presented as a factor to improve quality of life and in several aspects related to sleep disorders. Thus, the purpose of this review was to analyze the benefits of physical exercise and your indication to improve to SRMD. In the research, 19 studies were found that evaluate the efficacy of physical exercise on SRMD in both human and animal models. The results demonstrate that both acute and chronic physical exercises are effective in reducing symptoms of SRMD. However, most studies were performed with aerobic exercise. Three studies evaluated the efficacy of combined exercise, and no studies have investigated the relationship of resistance exercise. Regarding the mechanisms involved, a study discusses the relationship between the release of beta-endorphin and the exercise practice, and two studies with animal models show the changes of the dopaminergic system after physical exercise. From this evidences, we suggested that physical exercise is a favorable non-pharmacological treatment for SRMD. However, more studies should be available for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved, as well of the type, duration and better time of the day to practice.

Keywords: Movement Disorders; Physical Exercise; Restless Legs Syndrome; Sleep Wake Disorders.

PubMed Disclaimer

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

See all "Cited by" articles

References

    1. Sateia MJ. International classification of sleep disorders-third edition: highlights and modifications. Chest. 2014;146(5):1387–1394. doi: 10.1378/chest.14-0970. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Sakkas GK, Hadjigeorgiou GM, Karatzaferi C, Maridaki MD, Giannaki CD, Mertens PR, et al. Intradialytic aerobic exercise training ameliorates symptoms of restless legs syndrome and improves functional capacity in patients on hemodialysis: a pilot study. ASAIO J. 2008;54(2):185–190. doi: 10.1097/MAT.0b013e3181641b07. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ohayon MM, O'Hara R, Vitiello MV. Epidemiology of restless legs syndrome: a synthesis of the literature. Sleep Med Rev. 2012;16(4):283–295. doi: 10.1016/j.smrv.2011.05.002. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Karadeniz D, Ondze B, Besset A, Billiard M. Are periodic leg movements during sleep (PLMS) responsible for sleep disruption in insomnia patients. Eur J Neurol. 2000;7(3):331–336. doi: 10.1046/j.1468-1331.2000.00070. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Moore 4th H, Leary E, Lee SY, Carrillo O, Stubbs R, Peppard P, et al. Design and validation of a periodic leg movement detector. PLoS One. 2014;9(12):e114565. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0114565. - DOI - PMC - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources