[Psychophysiologic insomnia and periodic leg movements in sleep syndrome]

In 31 patients with psychophysiological insomnia, the relationship between periodic leg movements and sleep was studied. Patients with frequent periodic leg movements estimated their sleep latency to be longer than did patients with few or without leg movements. There were no other significant differences regarding sleep structure and subjective sleep quality between both groups. It appears likely that frequent periodic leg movements in patients with psychophysiological insomnia (not suffering from a restless legs syndrome) can be considered an accidental finding rather than an important factor involved in the pathogenesis of the disorder.