Sleep disturbance in Parkinson's disease: a human response to illness

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative movement disorder. Although PD is diagnosed and recognized by the associated motor symptoms, historically the associated non-motor symptoms have been clinically under-appreciated. One of the most distressing of the non-motor symptoms is a sleep-wake pattern disturbance, estimated to affect more than 60% of people living with PD. A review of the literature utilizing the Human Response to Illness Model as an organizing framework will facilitate a comprehensive understanding of the far-reaching impact of sleep disturbances in PD. The four concepts of the model, including the physiological, pathophysiological, experiential, and behavioural perspectives, provide a foundation for holistic insight into this issue. In turn, this will facilitate a greater understanding of the neuroscience nursing educational, interventional and research opportunities that can optimize an individual's adaptation to this response.