Frequency and Factors of Sleep Paralysis Among Medical Students of Karachi.
Muhammad Ali Muzammil, Abdul-Rehman Syed, Muhammad Haris Farooq, Shaheer Ahmed, Muhammad Hassam Qazi, Tirath Patel, Mahima Khatri, Mohammad Uzair Zaman, Taha Nadeem, Fatima Tanveer, Umesh Kumar, Giustino Varrassi, Abdul Ahad Shah
Cureus July 1, 2023 DOI: 10.7759/cureus.41722 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSleep paralysis is a common experience involving temporary inability to move or speak while falling asleep or waking up, often accompanied by hallucinations and a sense of suffocation. A cross-sectional survey of 297 medical students aged 18 to 30 in Karachi found that a significant majority of females (70.3%) reported experiencing sleep paralysis. The overall mean age was 20 years. The study found no significant relationship between sleep paralysis and depression or mental anxiety, nor between sleep paralysis and its occurrence. However, there was a notable link between sleep paralysis and its impact on academics. The findings highlight the frequency of sleep paralysis among medical students, especially females, and the diverse beliefs people hold about these episodes, underscoring the need for awareness sessions.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 297 |
| Population | Medical students aged 18 to 30 years in Karachi |
| Keywords | Electroencephalogram Hypertension Narcolepsy Neurological Psychiatric |
| Key finding | A significant number of female medical students (70.3%) reported experiencing sleep paralysis, and sleep paralysis was significantly linked to negative impacts on academics. |
Abstract
Sleep paralysis is a prevalent phenomenon characterized by suffocation, immobility, and hallucinations. Its causes remain unknown, although the neurotransmitter imbalance is suggested as a potential factor. This condition is closely associated with hallucinations and a sense of intrusion, often observed in patients with narcolepsy, hypertension, and seizures. A cross-sectional study was conducted in various medical colleges in Karachi, involving 297 participants aged 18 to 30 years. The participants were divided into groups based on gender and year of study. They were surveyed about the frequency of sleep paralysis episodes, their beliefs about the phenomenon, sleep routines, and academic impacts. Among the respondents, a significant number of females (n=209, 70.3%) reported experiencing sleep paralysis. The overall mean age was 20±2.0 years. Correlation analysis revealed an insignificant relationship between depression and mental anxiety (p=0.147). Similarly, no significant association was found when comparing the occurrence of sleep paralysis (p=0.16). However, a notable finding was the significant link between sleep paralysis and its impact on academics (p=0.043). This study highlighted the frequency of sleep paralysis among medical students, particularly among females. Furthermore, it emphasizes the diverse beliefs held by individuals regarding these frightening episodes. To address this neglected issue, it is essential to conduct awareness sessions aimed at understanding and alleviating sleep paralysis in individuals' lives.