Acute effect of nasal CPAP on periodic limb movements associated with breathing disorders during sleep

Sleep. 1994 Mar;17(2):172-5. doi: 10.1093/sleep/17.2.172.

Abstract

Sleep-disordered breathing is commonly associated with periodic limb movements (PLMS). Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) is the most widely used treatment for sleep-disordered breathing. However, it is not clear whether nCPAP treatment of apnea also has a systematic effect on PLMS. We studied 15 patients with sleep-disordered breathing and PLMS in a split-night protocol in order to confirm the acute effects of nCPAP on PLMS. Although the PLMS index (PLMSI) did not change statistically (baseline, 38.7 +/- 20.5; CPAP, 31.3 +/- 17.0; p = ns), the PLMS-related index (PLMS-ArI) decreased significantly on nCPAP (baseline, 17.8 +/- 10.1; CPAP, 9.2 +/- 5.7; p < 0.05). Whether the reduced PLMS-ArI is sustained with chronic nCPAP is unknown and a matter of future investigation.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Extremities
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Movement / physiology*
  • Positive-Pressure Respiration / methods*
  • Respiration Disorders / physiopathology
  • Respiration Disorders / therapy*
  • Sleep Apnea Syndromes / therapy
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / physiopathology
  • Sleep Wake Disorders / therapy*