The potential for physical activity to alleviate hallucinations among adults with Charles Bonnet Syndrome

Abstract

Charles Bonnet Syndrome is a condition in which people with vision impairment experience visual hallucinations. Although the syndrome is not well understood, recent research has suggested that physical activity may play a role in its management. A pilot survey investigated the relationship between physical activity, sleep and hallucinations in 29 individuals with Charles Bonnet Syndrome. Fifty-five percent of the respondents reported that they did not notice whether physical activity made any difference to the frequency and/or duration of their hallucinations. Nevertheless, provisional analysis suggested that people who attained the World Health Organisation’s recommended levels of physical activity reported fewer hallucinations. Reinforcing that physical activity may be useful to patients with Charles Bonnet Syndrome as a strategy for reducing their experiences of hallucinations. Further research is needed to explore the underlying mechanisms of these relationships and to determine the optimal levels and types of physical activity for managing symptoms in each individual.