Motor

Periodic Limb Movement

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Periodic Limb Movement, Periodic Limb Movement Sleep Disorder, Nocturnal Myoclonus Syndrome

  • See Also
  1. Insomnia
  2. Restless Leg Syndrome
  3. Polysomnogram
  • Signs
  1. Periodic, repetitive and stereotypic limb movements (especially legs) during sleep
  2. Diagnosed as a disorder if the limb movements interfere with sleep to cause Daytime Somnolence or Fatigue
  3. Contrast with Restless Leg Syndrome which occurs prior to sleep
  • Diagnosis
  1. Diagnosis of exclusion once other Sleep Disorders are excluded (e.g. Sleep Apnea)
  2. Polysomnogram
    1. Adult: Periodic Limb Movement index >15/hour
    2. Child: Periodic Limb Movement index >5/hour
  • Associated Conditions
  1. Restless Leg Syndrome (most with RLS have Periodic Limb Movements)
  2. REM Sleep Behavior Disorder
  3. Narcolepsy
  • Management
  1. Refer to sleep medicine
  • References
  1. Ramar (2013) Am Fam Physician 88(4): 231-8 [PubMed]