Sleep Paralysis Causes, Risk Factors, and Associated Health Outcomes: A Review & Synthesis

Sleep paralysis is a relatively common sleep disorder whose underlying factors remain poorly understood. This review examines risk factors, measurement methods, and health outcomes associated with the condition. A wide range of variables appear related to sleep paralysis, including body position, sleep hygiene, sex, ethnicity, culture, existing psychological and sleep disorders, and early life trauma. The condition seems most prevalent among individuals already experiencing a mental or sleep disorder. The review discusses limitations and future research directions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Sleep is a basic necessity that is important to general health, and in some cases can be accompanied by sleep disorders such as sleep paralysis. Sleep paralysis is relatively common among the general population, but there are still many factors of this disorder that remain unknown. In this review, a brief overview of sleep, risk factors of sleep paralysis, multiple methods for measuring sleep paralysis, and the associated health outcomes will be examined to provide an in-depth synthetic review of sleep paralysis. In addition, upon comprehensive review, a substantial amount of variables appear to be related to sleep paralysis; this includes body position, sleep hygiene, sex, ethnicity, culture, prevailing psychological and sleep disorders, and early life traumas. Sleep paralysis seems to be the most prevalent in those who are already experiencing a mental or sleep disorder. Limitations and future considerations for several specific areas are discussed to provide implications for later research.