Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 14, 2026

Method to Obtain Pattern of Breathing in Senescent Mice through Unrestrained Barometric Plethysmography
Published on: April 28, 2020
Sleep architecture alterations in patients with periodic limb movements disorder during sleep and sleep breathing
Virginia Mancebo-Sosa1, Viridiana Mancilla-Hernández1, Joana Miranda-Ortiz1
1Clínic of Sleep Disorders, School of Medicine, National University of Mexico, Mexico City, México.
Introduction:
Sleep movement disorders includes mainly periodic limb movement and others. The more frequent breathing disorders are: obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome and primary snoring.
Objective:
To compare sleep architecture in periodic limb movements and breathing disorders of different severity, and weight their interactions.
Methods:
We compared sleep architecture in 160 patients, divided in six groups: periodic limb movements (n=25), obstructive apnea only (n=30), periodic limb movements/snoring (n=30), periodic limb movements/mild apnea (n=25), periodic limb movements/moderate apnea (n=25), periodic limb movements/severe apnea (n=26). Polysomnographic variables were compared by analysis of variance and Tukey test.
Results:
We observed an increase of percentage of awakenings in the group with periodic limb movements/severe apnea. We found an increase of percentage of light sleep in the group with obstructive apnea only with respect to periodic limb movements group. The group with obstructive apnea only presented less rapid eye movements sleep in relation with group with periodic limb movements. We found an increase of awakenings in the group with periodic limb movements/severe apnea to the group with periodic limb movements only. Oxygen saturation showed a decrease in the group with periodic limb movements/severe apnea and obstructive apnea only group to periodic limb movements only group.
Conclusions:
Periodic limb movements and breathing disorders, resulted in more additive changes in sleep architecture alterations, than as separately disorders, in a complex interaction. Research in these relations deserve more investigations.
Related Concept Videos
Alterations in Respiration II
In Biot's breathing, the respiratory rate and depth are irregular, alternating between periods of deep gasping and apnea. Common causes...
Sleep-Wake Cycles
NREM Sleep
NREM sleep comprises four progressive stages that seamlessly merge:
Sleep Apnea
The condition is more prevalent among...
Respiratory Volumes and Capacities I
REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
RBD is significantly associated with...
Assessment of Ventilation II: Respiratory Depth and Rhythm
Respiratory depth measures the volume of air inhaled or exhaled during a breath. It can vary from shallow to deep and typically remains consistent when a person is at rest or asleep. Occasionally, individuals will automatically inhale deeply, known as sighing, which inflates the lungs with more air than normal breathing.
To assess respiratory depth, observe the degree of chest excursion or movement:

