Objective: Compare the nocturnal energy expenditure (kcal) and activity behavior of people with PD using a real-time wearable sensor, and determine whether these outcomes differed from people without PD.

Background: Studies have reported that between 49 and 66% of people with PD experience sleep disturbances such as lower sleep duration time and a higher number of awakenings, increased muscle tone and activity, and restless legs syndrome. Due to the sleep disturbances and sleep-related motor abnormalities, it is possible that the energy expenditure during sleep may be different for these people with PD compared to healthy controls.

Method: Fifty people properly diagnosed with PD (29 men) and 50 healthy control participants matched one for one for age and sex were recruited. Sleep duration, time spent lying down, total energy expenditure as well as the intensity and variability of energy expenditure were evaluated for 14 consecutive days using the portable mini SenseWear armband (Bodymedia, Pittsburgh, PA, USA). Using the minute-by-minute data output, we also calculated a variability score based on the energy expenditure data (A.U.) to detect subtle variations in energy expenditure. Bioelectrical impedance was measured using the Inbody 230 multifrequency analyser (Biospace, CA, USA). Standing height (± 0.1 cm) was measured with a measuring tape. Body mass index [BMI = Body weight (kg)/Height (m²)] was then calculated.

Results: Over the testing period, we found that total energy expenditure was significantly higher in people with PD compared to the control participants (P < 0.05), whereas the amount of time lying down was significantly lower for people with PD (P < 0.05). Similar results were found for both men and women with PD when compared to healthy controls, suggesting that the findings of the present study are independent of sex. We did not observe any differences between groups in sleep duration as measured by the armband. Age, height, fat mass was also similar between groups suggesting that the findings of the present study are independent of sex.

Conclusion: Energy expenditure at night was higher and lying down time was lower in people with PD, suggesting greater movement and/or muscle activity at night. These findings should be considered preliminary, but they may hopefully stimulate interest for additional research on the characterization of nocturnal behavior profiles of people with PD.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/nocturnal-behavior-of-people-with-parkinsons-disease/