Breakthrough In The Treatment Of Sleep-Paralysis: Meditation-Relaxation and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Wajiha Shaikh, Aariz Hussain, Shafaq Taseen
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Pilot study |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Non-pharmacological treatments like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and Meditation-Relaxation therapy show promising results in managing sleep paralysis episodes, with a pilot study of Meditation-Relaxation therapy in narcolepsy patients revealing a significant reduction in episodes. |
Abstract
Sleep paralysis (SP) is a distressing phenomenon when individuals wake up during REM sleep, experiencing temporary muscle paralysis. Often accompanied by fear and hallucinations, sleep paralysis can significantly impact an individual's well-being. Around 7.6% of the population encounter sleep paralysis at least once, but the prevalence of isolated sleep paralysis is unclear due to research challenges and mental health stigma. This letter reviews current research on sleep paralysis and emphasizes non-pharmacological treatments like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Meditation-Relaxation (MR) therapy, showing promising results in managing episodes. A pilot study of MR therapy on narcolepsy patients revealed a significant reduction in SP episodes. However, more research on MR therapy for isolated sleep paralysis is necessary for better treatment strategies. Public education is vital in dispelling misconceptions and encouraging affected individuals to seek proper care and contribute to research, while addressing the stigma associated with sleep paralysis remains an ongoing necessity.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- A systematic review of variables associated with sleep paralysis Sleep Medicine Reviews June 8, 2017
- Nightmare Disorder and Isolated Sleep Paralysis Neurotherapeutics November 23, 2020
- Meditation-Relaxation (MR Therapy) for Sleep Paralysis: A Pilot Study in Patients With Narcolepsy. Frontiers in Neurology 2020
- Prevalence and Clinical Picture of Sleep Paralysis in a Polish Student Sample. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health May 18, 2020
- Sleep Paralysis, a Medical Condition with a Diverse Cultural Interpretation International Journal of Applied and Basic Medical Research July 1, 2018
and 4 more in the library