In a nutshell
This study looked at the effect of safinamide (Xadago) on rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavioral disorder (RBD) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). It found that safinamide 50 mg daily improved RBD symptoms in these patients.
Some background
Patients with PD sometimes suffer from REM sleep behavioral disorder (RBD). Patients with RBD often find themselves enacting their dreams while they sleep. This can involve kicking, flailing, jumping out of the bed, shouting, etc. This can be distressing for the patient and their loved ones. It can also reduce their quality of sleep and put them at risk of injury while they sleep.
Safinamide (Xadago) is a medication used to treat PD. It is not clear if it can also help with symptoms of RBD.
Methods & findings
30 patients with PD participated in this study. Patients were divided into two groups of 15. The study was made up of two 3-month treatment blocks. During the first 3 months, group 1 received their normal PD medications plus safinamide 50 mg daily. Group 2 just received their normal PD medications. During the second 3 months, group 2 received their normal PD medications plus safinamide 50 mg daily and group 1 received their normal medications only.
A sleep questionnaire called the Parkinson's disease sleep scale (PDSS-2) was used to assess their sleep at the start and end of each 3 months. The PDSS-2 test measures sleep quality on a scale of 0-60. The lower the score, the better the sleep quality.
Group 1 scored lower on the PDSS-2 when taking safinamide than when taking their normal medications alone (17.3 compared to 20). Group 2 also scored lower on the PDSS-2 when taking safinamide than when taking their normal medications alone (16 compared to 19). PD movement symptoms also improved while taking safinamide in both groups.
The bottom line
This study showed that the addition of safinamide to PD treatment led to improved sleep quality in patients with Parkinson's disease.
The fine print
This study involved 30 patients only. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
Published By :
Journal of clinical neuroscience: official journal of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
Date :
Sep 01, 2021
