Recurrent Isolated Sleep Paralysis

Ambra Stefani; Qi Tang

doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2023.10.006

Recurrent Isolated Sleep Paralysis

Sleep Med Clin. 2024 Mar;19(1):101-109. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2023.10.006. Epub 2023 Nov 29.

Authors

Ambra Stefani¹, Qi Tang²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Neurology, Sleep Disorders Clinic, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria. Electronic address: ambra.stefani@i-med.ac.at.
² Department of Neurology, Sleep Disorders Clinic, Medical University of Innsbruck, Anichstrasse 35, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria.

PMID: 38368058
DOI: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2023.10.006

Abstract

Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis has a 7.6% lifetime prevalence of at least one episode in the general population. Episodes resolve spontaneously and are benign. Sleep paralysis represents a dissociate state, with persistence of the rapid eye movement (REM)-sleep muscle atonia in the waking state. The intrusion of alpha electroencephalogram into REM sleep is followed by an arousal response and then by persistence of REM atonia into wakefulness. Predisposing factors include irregular sleep-wake schedules, sleep deprivation, and jetlag. No drug treatment is required. Patients should be informed about sleep hygiene. Cognitive behavioral therapy may be useful in cases accompanied by anxiety and frightening hallucinations.

Keywords: Dissociate state; Hallucinations; REM parasomnia; REM sleep; Sleep paralysis.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Arousal / physiology
Humans
Sleep
Sleep Paralysis* / diagnosis
Sleep Paralysis* / epidemiology
Sleep Paralysis* / therapy
Sleep, REM / physiology
Wakefulness / physiology