A Resource for Clinicians

The Critical Role of Healthy Sleep Habits for People with Epilepsy

Created by the AES Practice Management Committee | April 2025

Authors: Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, MD; Devraj Chavda, MD; and Milena Pavlova, MD

Quality sleep is a vital yet often underappreciated component of epilepsy management. This resource hub is designed to equip clinicians with the knowledge and tools needed to recognize, screen for, and address sleep disorders in patients with epilepsy. Through an educational video series, a detailed companion guide, and evidence-based screening tools, this project highlights the bidirectional relationship between sleep and epilepsy, offering practical strategies to improve patient care. By enhancing sleep health awareness, clinicians can better support seizure control, promote overall well-being, and optimize epilepsy treatment outcomes.

Companion Guide

Get the in-depth Companion Guide designed to help clinicians understand the crucial link between sleep health and epilepsy. This guide covers:

The bidirectional relationship between sleep and epilepsy.
Sleep disorders common in people with epilepsy.
Tools for recognizing and screening sleep conditions.
Practical approaches for initiating sleep discussions.

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Educational Video Series

Sleep and Epilepsy – Why It Matters

Dr. Joanna Fong-Isariyawongse, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center

This video covers the bidirectional relationship between sleep and epilepsy, common sleep disorders, and strategies for identifying sleep issues in clinical practice.

Managing Insomnia in Epilepsy: Non-Pharmacological and Pharmacological Approaches

Dr. Devraj Chavda, Neurology and Epilepsy Specialists, PC

This video focuses on non-pharmacological interventions for insomnia in patients with epilepsy, including cognitive behavioral therapy and sleep hygiene tips.

Screening for Sleep Disorders in Epilepsy: Tools and Best Practices

Dr. Milena Pavlova, Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Learn how to screen for sleep disorders with tools such as the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and the STOP-BANG Questionnaire, and explore the impact of antiseizure medications on sleep health.

Additional Resources

Sleep Hygiene Tips for People with Epilepsy: A Guide to Better Sleep

Help your patients living with epilepsy achieve better sleep with our new video on sleep hygiene tips, created by sleep and epilepsy experts from the American Epilepsy Society. Designed specifically for healthcare providers, this resource offers practical advice to share with patients on how to improve their sleep habits. Whether it’s establishing a bedtime routine, reducing screen time, or creating a more restful environment, these strategies can help enhance sleep quality, reduce seizure frequency, and improve overall health. Additionally, we’ve put together a handout that providers can print out and share with their patients.

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