What can cause involuntary jerky movements at night?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Involuntary jerky movements at night, often called nocturnal myoclonus or sleep-related movement disorders, can stem from several conditions. Common causes include periodic limb movement disorder, restless legs syndrome, paroxysmal dyskinesia, sleep myoclonus, and other neurological movement disorders that occur during sleep or as you fall asleep.

Because these movements can range from harmless sleep starts to signs of an underlying neurological or sleep disorder, understanding the cause matters. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to get personalized insights into what may be behind your nighttime movements and clear guidance on your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Involuntary jerky movements during sleep can be linked to several conditions. One possibility is sleep-associated movement disorders, which can occur in people with heart problems. These movements happen when someone is sleeping and can be linked to how the heart is working.

Another cause could be paroxysmal dyskinesia. This is a condition where sudden, uncontrolled movements happen, and they can occur both during the day and at night. These movements are often quick and can look like twitches or jerks.

Lastly, movement disorders that are also seen in conditions like Parkinson's disease can affect sleep. These disorders can cause movements that disturb sleep and lead to jerky motions during the night. If you're experiencing these symptoms, try Ubie's free AI-powered symptom checker to help identify potential causes and guide you toward the right treatment or management strategies.

(References)

Schaffernocker T, Ho J, & Hayes D Jr. (2009). Sleep-associated movement disorders and heart failure. Heart failure reviews, 19051011.
de Saint-Martin A, Badinand N, Picard F, Fischbach M, Challamel MJ, Marescaux C, & Hirsch E. (1997). Diurnal and nocturnal paroxysmal dyskinesia in young .... Revue neurologique, 9296145.
Happe S, & Trenkwalder C. (2003). Movement disorders in sleep: Parkinson's disease and .... Biomedizinische Technik. Biomedical engineering, 12701336.

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