Experiences and beliefs related to sleep paralysis among the general population of the twin cities: A cross-sectional study.
Ahmed Ali Khan, Ammara Abid, Maheen Nawaz, Rayyan Mohammad Makki Bakhsh, Mehwish Riaz, Mahnoor Fayyaz, Danish Ali Ashraf
Sleep Medicine December 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1016/j.sleep.2024.09.022 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSleep paralysis is fairly common: 39.1% of 350 surveyed mall visitors reported at least one lifetime episode, typically first occurring between ages 16 and 20. During episodes, 81.0% had difficulty speaking, 71.5% could not open their eyes, and 67.2% felt pressure on their chest. Many people were unaware the condition is called sleep paralysis (24.5%) or mistook it for just a dream (23.5%). Misconceptions about sleep paralysis are widespread.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 350 |
| Population | Visitors at a shopping mall |
| Keywords | Cross-sectional studies Humans Hypoesthesia Sensation Sleep paralysis |
| Key finding | 39.1% of participants reported at least one lifetime sleep paralysis episode, with common features including difficulty speaking, inability to open eyes, and chest pressure, and many held misconceptions about the condition. |
Abstract
Sleep paralysis (SP) is a rapid eye movement (REM) parasomnia that occurs during the transition between wakefulness and sleep. During this brief state, a person is conscious but unable to move or speak, often experiencing hallucinations. It is 'isolated' when it occurs without other symptoms of narcolepsy or sleep disorders. Despite its prevalence, much remains unknown about its clinical features and associated beliefs. This study examines the frequency of self-reported SP experiences and its associated demographic characteristics, along with participants' beliefs about the condition. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among visitors at a shopping mall, using the Unusual Sleep Experiences Questionnaire (USEQ) to assess the features of SP episodes and the common beliefs surrounding them. A total of 350 participants were surveyed (mean age = 25.5 ± 9.30 years; 55.4 % females). Participants who experienced SP at least once in their life time (39.1 %) reported feeling pressure on their chest (67.2 %), an inability to open their eyes (71.5 %), and difficulty speaking (81.0 %) during the episode. The majority of the individuals reported having their first episode at a young age (16-20 years). Most people (24.5 %) were unaware that this condition was known as sleep paralysis, and many (23.5 %) thought that it was just 'a dream'. Isolated sleep paralysis episodes are fairly prevalent, with many people experiencing their first episode at a young age. A typical episode entails a sense of pressure on the chest and difficulty in vocalizing. Misconceptions about the condition are common and wage further exploration.