Sleep disorders among Aboriginal Australians with Machado-Joseph Disease: Quantitative results from a multiple methods study to assess the experience of people living with the disease and their caregivers.

Background: Machado-Joseph Disease (MJD), or Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3), is a genetic disorder that causes progressive muscle weakness, loss of motor control, ataxia and permanent physical disability. Sleep disturbances are associated with MJD but remain poorly understood.

Objective: To investigate frequency and characteristics of sleep disorders and their association with health-related quality of life and psychosocial wellbeing for Aboriginal Australians living with MJD.