ELECTROMYOGRAM SUPPRESSION DURING SLEEP, DREAM RECALL, AND ORIENTATION TIME
Psychophysiology March 1, 1969 James D. Larson, David Foulkes
During nocturnal sleep monitored with EEG, EOG, and chin EMG, 196 awakenings were distributed across NREM sleep before and after EMG suppression that heralds REM onset, and early REM. Suppressed-EMG NREM awakenings were linked to lower dream recall and lower Dreamlike Fantasy Scale ratings than high-EMG NREM awakenings. Orientation times upon awakening were longer after suppressed-EMG pre-REM awakenings. A momentary deepening of sleep—less memorable and vivid mental content and decreased reactivity—appears to accompany pre-REM suppression of neck and chin EMG.