Association between sleep paralysis and anxiety: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Gustavo Garrido, Kenzo Donato, João Victor Gonzalez, Gabriela Nunes E Brito, Bianca Romeo, Vanessa Machado, Letícia Guimarães Lopes, Cristina Salles
Journal of clinical sleep medicine : JCSM : official publication of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine September 10, 2026 DOI: 10.1007/s44470-026-00190-9 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review and meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 5,568 |
| Population | Participants across 11 studies, including individuals with sleep paralysis and controls, some drawn from psychiatric populations |
| Topics | Anxiety |
| Keywords | Meta-analysis Sleep paralysis |
| Key findings | Sleep paralysis was associated with significantly higher anxiety symptom scores than controls (SMD 0.35; 95% CI 0.27-0.44), with no heterogeneity. Pooled anxiety prevalence did not differ significantly overall (RR 1.28; 95% CI 0.59-2.77), but after excluding one outlier, the risk became significant (RR 1.80; 95% CI 1.08-2.99). The authors conclude sleep paralysis appears associated with elevated anxiety and may occur more frequently in anxiety-related conditions. |
Abstract
Sleep paralysis is a REM-sleep parasomnia which manifests as a temporary inability to perform voluntary muscle movements during the sleep-wake transition. Anxiety disorders are characterized by excessive fear, anxiety, and related behavioral disturbances. Notably, lifetime prevalence of sleep paralysis is elevated among psychiatric populations. The purpose of this review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the association between sleep paralysis and anxiety, encompassing both anxiety symptoms and formally diagnosed anxiety disorders. This systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA and Cochrane guidelines and was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024579831). PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library were searched. Risk ratios (RR) and standardized mean differences (SMD) were pooled using random-effects models estimated with restricted maximum likelihood (REML). Heterogeneity was quantified using I2. Subgroup and leave-one-out sensitivity analyses were performed. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots and Egger's test. Statistical analysis was conducted using R (version 4.4.1) with the metafor package. Eleven eligible studies involving 5568 participants were included. Sleep paralysis was associated with significantly higher anxiety scores compared to controls (SMD 0.35; 95% CI 0.27-0.44; p < 0.01) with zero heterogeneity (I2 = 0.0%). Publication bias was low. In a different analysis, meta-analysis showed no significant difference in anxiety prevalence (RR 1.28; 95% CI 0.59-2.77; p = 0.53); sensitivity analysis excluding one outlier demonstrated a significant risk (RR 1.80; 95% CI 1.08-2.99). Sleep paralysis appears to be associated with elevated anxiety levels and may occur more frequently among individuals with anxiety-related conditions.