Background:
There is a complex and interactive relationship between sleep and epilepsy. Sleep disorders are
common in patients with epilepsy, and methods for managing sleep disorders in patients with epilepsy are limited.
Objective:
This review is to address the relationships among sleep, sleep disorders, and epilepsy, focusing on the
managements for sleep disorders in epilepsy, including some complementary and alternative therapies.
Methods:
The terms related to “sleep” and “epilepsy” were searched in “Pubmed” and “Cochrane Library”.
Results:
Sleep stages differently affects both of seizures and interictal epileptiform discharges. Seizures disrupt sleep
architectures greatly, especially when arising from sleep in the night. Insomnia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) are the
most frequent types of comorbid sleep disorders in patients with epilepsy. Pharmacological agents with both anti-convulsant
and sedative effects are the priorities for comorbid sleep disorders in epilepsy. Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
therapy is the most effective non-pharmacological method to improve OSA and reduce seizures. Complementary and
alternative therapies such as Chinese traditional medicine, cognitive behavioral therapy, meditation, yoga, neurofeedback,
and acupuncture may have benefits on reducing seizures and improving sleep quality simultaneously by alleviating stress
and seizure triggers, however, evidence-based therapies are still in deficiency.
Conclusion:
Managements for sleep disorders in patients with epilepsy are challenging. Large sample randomized
controlled trials are in demand in the future.