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Sleep Disorders: Current Research and Future Directions—Second Edition
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Sleep Disorders: Current Research and Future Directions—Second Edition

A special issue of Journal of Clinical Medicine (ISSN 2077-0383). This special issue belongs to the section "Clinical Neurology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 25 July 2026 | Viewed by 1016

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Martina Vendrame

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Morsani College of Medicine, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620, USA
Interests: chronic insomnia disorder; short-term insomnia disorder; obstructive sleep apnea (OSA); central sleep apnea (CSA); narcolepsy type 1; narcolepsy type 2; idiopathic hypersomnia; Kleine-Levin syndrome; insufficient sleep syndrome; delayed sleep–wake phase disorder; advanced sleep–wake phase disorder; irregular sleep–wake rhythm disorder; non-24-hour sleep–wake rhythm disorder; shift work disorder; jet lag disorder; confusional arousals; sleepwalking (somnambulism); sleep terrors (night terrors); sleep-related eating disorder; REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD); nightmare disorder; exploding head syndrome; restless legs syndrome (RLS); periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD); sleep-related leg cramps; sleep-related bruxism (teeth grinding); sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are thrilled to announce the release of the second volume of our Special Issue, entitled "Sleep Disorders: Current Research and Future Directions—Second Edition". Sleep disorders, including sleep-related breathing disorders, insomnia, narcolepsy, REM behavior disorder, and restless legs syndrome, significantly impact public health and the quality of life of many people. Despite advances in understanding their pathophysiology, many core problems remain unsolved, including precise diagnostic and monitoring methodologies, effective management options, and understanding the genetic and environmental elements that contribute to these conditions.

This Special Issue aims to consolidate cutting-edge research on sleep disorders, providing a comprehensive overview of present findings and identifying future research directions. This Special Issue will encompass original research, reviews, and clinical studies that address these challenges, with a particular focus on innovative diagnostic tools, innovative therapeutic strategies, and the role of technology in sleep disorder management. Contributions that explore the interdisciplinary aspects of sleep research, such as the interaction between neurological and psychological are also highly encouraged.

We invite you to visit the following link to access the first volume of our Special Issue https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jcm/special_issues/18KK75D5C0.

We invite researchers, clinicians, and experts in the field to contribute their work, with the scope of advancing knowledge and fostering understanding and collaboration to address the most relevant issues in sleep medicine research.

Dr. Martina Vendrame
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Journal of Clinical Medicine is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • obstructive sleep apnea
  • parasomnia
  • idiopathic hypersomnia
  • periodic limb movement disorder
  • periodic limb move-ment of sleep

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (2 papers)

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17 pages, 1335 KB  
Article
Efficacy and Tolerability of Extended-Duration Tonic Motor Activation for Treatment of Restless Legs Syndrome with Awakenings During Sleep
by Hussein Alawieh, Kurtis J. Swartz, Stephanie K. Rigot and Jonathan D. Charlesworth
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(8), 2845; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15082845 - 9 Apr 2026
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Abstract
Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a prevalent neurological sleep disorder that often impairs sleep maintenance. This single-arm, open-label study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of extended-duration tonic motor activation (XD-TOMAC) in adults with RLS who experience frequent awakenings with symptoms. Methods [...] Read more.
Background: Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a prevalent neurological sleep disorder that often impairs sleep maintenance. This single-arm, open-label study evaluated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of extended-duration tonic motor activation (XD-TOMAC) in adults with RLS who experience frequent awakenings with symptoms. Methods: The study comprised three stages: Stage 1 (2 weeks of no intervention), Stage 2 (8 weeks XD-TOMAC), and Stage 3 (2 weeks of no intervention). XD-TOMAC consisted of bilateral high-frequency peroneal nerve stimulation programmed to 180 min duration and administered nightly at bedtime. Nineteen adults with moderate–severe RLS were enrolled, each reporting at least three nights per week of RLS symptoms causing increased awakenings or interfering with returning to sleep after waking. Results: The intent-to-treat analysis population included all patients who began Stage 2 (n = 15). After 8 weeks of XD-TOMAC, the mean change in International RLS Study Group Rating Scale (IRLS) score was −10.6 points (p < 0.001), and the mean change in Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Problems Index II (MOS-II) was −29.5 points (p < 0.001). The mean change in the number of nocturnal awakenings was −1.1 per night (p = 0.009), and the mean change in sleep efficiency was +8.5% (p = 0.001). The mean change in time awake with RLS symptoms after sleep onset was −28.1 min (p = 0.009). Each of these improvements was sustained at the end of Stage 3 (p < 0.01). There were no serious or severe device-related adverse events. Conclusions: Compared with prior 30 min TOMAC studies, XD-TOMAC demonstrated greater efficacy and similar tolerability, supporting its potential as a nonpharmacological therapy for RLS patients whose symptoms frequently disrupt sleep. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sleep Disorders: Current Research and Future Directions—Second Edition)
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Review

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17 pages, 444 KB  
Review
Restless Legs Syndrome and Neurological Comorbidities: A Narrative Review
by Kyrillos Ghattas, Helen Hernandez, Yongwoon Huh, Zhanna Fast and Zhikui Wei
J. Clin. Med. 2026, 15(10), 3725; https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm15103725 - 12 May 2026
Abstract
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common yet underrecognized neurological disorder characterized by uncomfortable sensations and an irresistible urge to move he legs, typically following a circadian pattern. RLS frequently co-occurs with various other neurological diseases, raising questions about shared mechanisms and clinical [...] Read more.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common yet underrecognized neurological disorder characterized by uncomfortable sensations and an irresistible urge to move he legs, typically following a circadian pattern. RLS frequently co-occurs with various other neurological diseases, raising questions about shared mechanisms and clinical consequences. This review synthesizes evidence on the prevalence, outcomes, and pathophysiology of RLS in various neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, migraine, dementia, stroke, epilepsy, and peripheral neuropathy. In Parkinson’s disease, RLS is linked to disease progression and dopaminergic therapy. In stroke and multiple sclerosis, RLS is associated with structural lesions at specific locations, such as the pons or spinal cord. In epilepsy, RLS is associated with refractory or nocturnal seizures. In neuropathies, disruption of small sensory fibers may contribute to RLS symptoms. In dementia, RLS adds diagnostic complexity. Overlapping mechanisms between RLS and its neurological comorbidities include altered sensorimotor processing, brainstem and spinal circuitry, and sleep/arousal regulation. RLS in neurological conditions often worsens sleep quality, mood, and fatigue, and contributes to reduced quality of life and worse outcomes. Future research should prioritize longitudinal designs, standardized diagnostic approaches, and mechanistically driven studies to clarify relationships between RLS and these neurological comorbidities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sleep Disorders: Current Research and Future Directions—Second Edition)
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