STUDY OBJECTIVES
This study aims to explore the polysomnographically measured sleep differences between multiple sclerosis (MS) and healthy controls (HCs).
METHODS
An electronic literature search was conducted in EMBASE, MEDLINE, All EBM databases, CINAHL, and PsycINFO inception to Mar 2022. A random effects model was applied to explore the pooled effect sizes of polysomnographic differences between MS patients and controls.
RESULTS
Thirteen studies were identified for meta-analysis. Meta-analyses revealed significant reductions in N2 and sleep efficiency, and increases in wake time after sleep onset, periodic limb movement index, and periodic limb movement arousal index in MS patients compared with controls. Meta-regression analyses showed that some of the heterogeneity was explained by age and daytime sleepiness of MS patients.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed that polysomnographic abnormalities are present in MS. Our findings also underscore the need for a comprehensive PSG assessment of sleep changes in patients with MS. Furthermore, the effects of age and daytime sleepiness in MS patients on sleep changes should also be carefully considered and closely monitored in the management of MS.