Updates on the sleep benefit phenomenon in Parkinson’s disease: A narrative review

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder globally, characterized by progressive motor and non-motor dysfunction due to multisystemic pathology. Although present pharmacological treatments offer symptomatic relief, they are often associated with adverse effects and do not halt disease progression, highlighting the need for complementary therapeutic strategies. An intriguing phenomenon termed “sleep benefit” has been reported in some PD patients, characterized by temporary improvements in motor and non-motor symptoms following sleep, either nocturnal or daytime naps. Sleep benefit may offer a lower risk profile compared to traditional pharmacotherapy; however, its underlying mechanisms and clinical significance remain poorly understood. In this review, we synthesize the existing literature on sleep benefit in PD, summarizing its clinical characteristics, prevalence, and associated factors. We also discuss distinctions between subjective and objective assessments and explore potential pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this phenomenon, aiming to provide new insights into non-pharmacological approaches for PD management.