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To evaluate the prevalence of the whole spectrum of sleep disorders as well as sleep related motor phenomena and chronotype in adults with glioma and to analyze their link with tumor localization and grade. This prospective cross-sectional exploratory study included 79 patients with glioma irrespective of localization and type. Sleep habits, sleep disorders of any kind and chronotype were evaluated in structured interviews using validated disease specific scales. For the whole sample the PSQI score was not increased, and specific insomnia severity was low. Patients with frontal tumors had worse sleep quality according to the PSQI and were more often allocated to worse ISI categories. The prevalence of EDS was markedly increased (ESS >10 in 17.7 % of patients), and 43 % scored ≥3 on STOPBANG. The predominant chronotype was a moderate morning type (54.4 %). Seven patients fulfilled RLS criteria and 9 fulfilled criteria for probable RBD, a self-report of hypnic jerks and nightmares were most common (45.6 % and 31.6 % respectively). According to regression analyses tumor relapse, depressive symptoms and fatigue determined poor sleep quality (Nagelkerke's R2: 0.511 p < 0.001), while performance-status, fatigue and anti-seizure medication contributed to excessive daytime sleepiness (Nagelkerke's R2: 0.600, p < 0.001), and age, BMI, and tumor localization contributed to the risk of sleep apnea (Nagelkerke's R2: 0.556, p < 0.001). This study shows the broad range of sleep symptoms in glioma patients, and a complex association with tumor grade and localization. This underlines the need for a comprehensive evaluation of sleep related symptoms in glioma patients. • First study to show the broad picture of sleep related phenomena in adult glioma patients. • Though sleep disturbance was common the prevalence and burden of insomnia was low. • Patients with frontal tumors reported poorer sleep quality. • Association of morning chronotype and glioma warrants further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Background Methods Results Conclusion There is a bidirectional relationship between sleep and pain disturbances. Sleep disturbances increase the risk for chronic pain, while chronic pain can interfere with sleep. Hence, we assessed the subjective sleep characteristics of youth with functional abdominal pain disorders (FAPDs) compared to healthy youth and examined associations with gastrointestinal symptoms.We included youth ages 10–18 years without a sleep or organic GI disorder diagnosis from a large private school. Participants completed demographics, sleep history, and validated questionnaires: sleep quality (ASWS‐SF), insomnia (PISI), daytime sleepiness (ESS), sleep disturbance (PROMIS SD), sleep‐related impairment (PROMIS SRI), and Rome 4 diagnostic questionnaire. Cases (FAPDs) completed abdominal pain index (API), nausea severity (NSS), anxiety, depression (PROMIS), and functional disability (FDI). Parents filled sleep hygiene metrics (SHIP). Cases were matched 1:1 with controls based on age and gender.Of 120 youth (60 cases and 60 controls), the mean age was 13.5 ± 1.9 years and 50% were females. Youth with FAPDs had higher insomnia, sleep disturbance, sleep‐related impairment, daytime sleepiness, sleep hygiene, gasping, and nightmares than healthy youth (p < 0.05). Higher insomnia severity was associated with worse abdominal pain (r = 0.41, p < 0.01), higher daytime sleepiness with a family history of disorders of gut‐brain interaction (DGBIs, OR = 14.7, p = 0.002), and higher sleep‐related impairment (OR = 5.6, p = 0.02) and depression (OR = 6.1, p = 0.01) with black race.Youth with FAPDs have worse sleep than healthy youth and multiple sleep parameters are associated with abdominal pain. Future studies could focus on determining mechanisms by which sleep disturbances affect abdominal pain and vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review aims to systematically examine the relationship between sleep quality and its impact on physical and mental health, and to assess the effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions for the treatment of sleep disorders. A comprehensive literature search was conducted using major databases including PubMed, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar, focusing on articles published between 2001 and 2023. The review synthesized information from 52 studies using methods of analysis, synthesis, comparison, and generalization to assess indicators of sleep quality, their impact on health, and the effectiveness of different psychotherapeutic treatments. The review found that optimal sleep quality, characterized by adequate duration, continuity, and depth, is crucial for maintaining both physical and mental health. Poor sleep quality was found to contribute significantly to the development and exacerbation of many health problems, including metabolic disorders, cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety. Cognitive behavioral therapy was identified as an effective psychotherapeutic approach for improving sleep quality and managing sleep disorders, while hypnotherapy is not recommended. The findings highlight the critical role of sleep in maintaining health and the potential of targeted psychotherapeutic interventions to improve sleep quality. Given the reciprocal relationship between sleep and health, healthcare providers should prioritize the assessment and treatment of sleep disorders. Further research should focus on long-term clinical trials to establish causal relationships and the sustainability of treatment effects, promoting wider application of these findings in clinical practice.

ABSTRACT Background Objective Methods Results Conclusion Clinically, data on the association of early‐life secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure with sleep bruxism and dental problems are scarce.To examine whether the relationship between early‐life SHS exposure with sleep problems, sleep bruxism, and dental problems in children.Within the scope of this study, questionnaires were applied to the volunteer parents of 710 children, aged 5–12 years old. The questionnaire applied in this study named as Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and consists of seven subscales and a total of 33 items. The questionnaire was completed retrospectively by any parent, and the presence of sleep bruxism was questioned during the anamnesis. Afterward, the presence of dental decay and tooth wear was evaluated during intraoral and radiographic examinations. Dental decay and tooth wear were scored with the DMFT/deft index and tooth wear index of Smith & Knight, respectively.The presence of sleep bruxism was significantly higher in children with parasomnia (p = 0.01; p < 0.05). The presence of tooth wear in children with sleep bruxism was found to be statistically significant (p = 0.032; p < 0.05). It was observed that the presence of sleep bruxism was higher in the children of individuals who smoked at home (p = 0.027; p < 0.05).Sleep bruxism, untreated dental decay and exposure to early‐life secondhand smoke may have a negative impact on children's sleep habits and characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To assess self‐reported parasomnias in patients with sleep disorders and explore relationships with psychiatric illness, comorbidities, subjective sleep assessments, and polysomnographic study results. Methods: Results from intake questionnaires and polysomnographic assessments, collected from 240 sleep centers across 30 US states between 2004 and 2019, were analyzed retrospectively. Of 540,000 total patients, 371,889 who answered parasomnia‐specific questions were included. Patients responding "often" or "always" to parasomnia‐specific questions were considered "symptom‐positive," whereas a "few times" or "never" were considered "symptom‐negative" (controls). Results: The study sample was 54.5% male with mean age 54 years (range, 2–107 years). Frequencies for the different parasomnias were 16.0% for any parasomnia, 8.8% for somniloquy, 6.0% for hypnagogic hallucinations, 4.8% for sleep‐related eating disorder, 2.1% for sleep paralysis, and 1.7% for somnambulism. Frequent parasomnias were highly associated with diagnosed depression (odds ratio = 2.72). All parasomnias were associated with being younger and female and with symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, restless legs, pain, medical conditions, fatigue, and sleepiness. Associations with objective sleep metrics showed characteristics of consolidated sleep and differentiated weakly between nonrapid eye movement sleep and rapid eye movement sleep parasomnias. Machine learning accurately classified patients with parasomnia versus controls (balanced accuracies between 71% and 79%). Benzodiazepines, antipsychotics, and opioids increased the odds of experiencing parasomnias, while antihistamines and melatonin reduced the odds. Z‐drugs were found to increase the likelihood of a sleep‐related eating disorder. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that parasomnias may be clinically relevant, yet understudied, symptoms of depression and anxiety. Further investigation is needed to quantify the nature of multimorbidity, including causality and implications for diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Currently, no standard scale has been validated to assess overall severity of RBD symptoms in the home environment. We aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the International RBD Severity Scale (IRBD-SSS), a new tool designed by the International RBD Study Group. Methods: Two versions of the IRBD-SSS were created, one for the patient (IRBD-SSS-PT) and another for the bedpartner (IRBD-SSS-BP), both consisting of 3 components, namely vocalizations, body movements and injury, with a fourth component (patient version only) evaluating dream content. To score each dimension, the frequency and severity/impact of behaviors during the previous month are multiplied. Psychometric properties of the IRBD-SSS were assessed, including reproducibility. Results: A total of 188 subjects including n = 132 RBD patients (n = 94 isolated RBD and n = 38 symptomatic RBD) and n = 52 bedpartners were enrolled from eight Sleep centers across France and Italy. Participants completed the scale at baseline and after one week. Acceptability of the scale was excellent in patients (97%) and bedpartners (98%). Internal consistency was acceptable for IRBD-SSS-PT (Cronbach α = 0.75) while slightly low for IRBD-SSS-BP (Cronbach α = 0.49). Concurrent validity was good for both patient (r = 0.70;p < 0.001, see Figure) and bedpartner (r = 0.69;p < 0.001) IRBD-SSS. Reproducibility was high for IRBD-SSS-PT (Lin's coefficient of agreement = 0.85 [0.81;0.90]) and good for the IRBD-SSS-BP (0.79 [0.68;0.90] (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Both the patient and bedpartner versions of the IRBD-SSS showed excellent acceptability, acceptable internal consistency, good external validity and high reproducibility. IRBD-SSS is a useful tool to test the severity of RBD symptoms in clinical settings and clinical trials. Trial registration: NCT04071899. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inadequate sleep can cause various health problems including heart disease and obesity. In this work, a sleep monitoring system that monitors human sleep patterns is developed using the internet of things (IoT) and Raspberry Pi. The system is designed to record any detected movements and process the data using machine learning to provide valuable insight into a person's sleep patterns including sleep duration, the time taken to fall asleep, and the frequency of waking up. This information is very useful to provide the sleep disorder diagnostics of an individual including restless leg, parasomnia and insomnia syndrome besides giving recommendations to improve their sleep quality. Also, the system allows the processed data to be stored in the cloud database which can be accessed through a mobile application or web interface. The performance of the system is evaluated in terms of its accuracy and reliability in detecting sleep order diagnostics. Based on the confusion matrix, the results show the accuracy of the system is 90.32%, 91.80%, and 91.80% in detecting the restless leg, parasomnia and insomnia syndrome, respectively. Meanwhile, the system showed high reliability in monitoring 10 participants for 8 hours and updated the recorded data and its analysis in the cloud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although sleepwalking is one of the most prevalent and potentially injurious of the NREM parasomnias, it is still diagnosed primarily based on the patient's clinical history. Early pilot work suggested that sleep deprivation protocols could help obtain a polysomnographically-based (PSG) diagnosis of sleepwalking, but larger studies remain lacking. We compared baseline PSG recordings with those obtained after 25hrs of sleep deprivation in a cohort of 124 consecutively assessed adult sleepwalkers. When compared to baseline recordings, post-sleep deprivation PSG assessments resulted in nearly twice as many somnambulistic episodes being recorded in the laboratory and significantly increased the proportion of patients (from 48 % to 63 %) experiencing at least one lab-based episode. Moreover, while 17 % of patients experienced a sleepwalking event exclusively during recovery sleep, only 2 % of patients did so solely at baseline. Sleep deprivation had similar facilitating effects on patents' somnambulistic events regardless of age of onset and positive versus negative family history for sleepwalking. Younger age and higher home episode frequency both predicted a positive response to sleep deprivation. A separate group of 17 patients with comorbid sleep disorders showed a similar increase in their proportion experiencing at least one episode during recovery sleep. The results from this large series of sleepwalkers provide strong support for the use of sleep deprivation in facilitating the occurrence of somnambulistic events in the sleep laboratory. • Sleep deprivation increases sleepwalking episodes in the sleep laboratory. • Age and home episode frequency predict positive responses to sleep deprivation. • Sleep deprivation is also effective in sleepwalkers with comorbid sleep disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Research suggests trauma-related nightmares (TRNs) during the acute aftermath of trauma may contribute to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, it is unknown who is most vulnerable to TRNs, which is critical to identify at-risk patients toward whom early nightmare-focused treatments can be targeted to prevent PTSD.Objective: We tested trauma type (interpersonal violence [e.g. assault] vs non-interpersonal trauma [e.g. motor vehicle collision]) as a risk factor for TRNs in a predominantly low-income, Black, urban sample in Detroit, MI, USA.Method: We recruited patients from the intensive care unit following traumatic injury (N = 88; Mage = 39.53 ± SD 14.31 years, 67.0% male, 67.0% Black, 47.7% annual income ≤ $20,000) and administered surveys at three post trauma timepoints: one week (T1), one month (T2; n = 61), and two months (T3; n = 59). Trauma type was assessed at T1 via electronic medical records. Participants reported the extent to which their dreams’ content was similar to the trauma for which they were hospitalized across T1-T3. Participants then completed the PTSD Checklist for DSM-5 at T3.Results: TRNs were more prevalent over time among patients exposed to interpersonal violence (80%) vs non-interpersonal trauma (48.7%, p = .005). Patients hospitalized for interpersonal violence faced greater odds for TRNs across timepoints relative to non-interpersonal trauma patients (Odds Ratio = 4.95, p = .021). TRNs, in turn, prospectively predicted PTSD symptoms such that TRNs at T2 presaged more severe PTSD at T3 (p = .040, ηp2 = .31), above and beyond T1 PTSD status.Conclusions: This prospective study provides first evidence that interpersonal violence exposure is a robust risk factor for TRNs, which prospectively contribute to PTSD symptom development. Early intervention on TRNs after interpersonal violence exposure may decrease PTSD risk. Future studies are encouraged to use ambulatory methods to capture nightmares sooner after they occur.

Abstract Background Sleep disorders (SDs) are among many co-morbid medical conditions that affect children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Raising awareness and improving the standard of care for children diagnosed with ASD may result from identifying SDs among them. This study aims to evaluate patterns of SDs among Sudanese children diagnosed with ASD. Method Using the Childhood Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ) to gather data on sleep disorders and SPSS version 26.0 for data analysis, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the five main autistic centres in Khartoum state covering all registered patients with ASD between April and June 2022. Ninety-two children diagnosed with ASD were enrolled in this study after the purpose of the research was explained and consent was obtained from their guardians. A p-value

INTRODUCTION: This guideline establishes clinical practice recommendations for the management of rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) in adults. METHODS: The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) commissioned a task force of experts in sleep medicine to develop recommendations and assign strengths based on a systematic review of the literature and an assessment of the evidence using Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. The task force provided a summary of the relevant literature and the certainty of evidence, the balance of benefits and harms, patient values and preferences, and resource use considerations that support the recommendations. The AASM Board of Directors approved the final recommendations. GOOD PRACTICE STATEMENT: The following good practice statement is based on expert consensus, and its implementation is necessary for the appropriate and effective management of patients with RBD: It is critically important to help patients maintain a safe sleeping environment to prevent potentially injurious nocturnal behaviors. In particular, the removal of bedside weapons, or objects that could inflict injury if thrown or wielded against a bed partner, is of paramount importance. Sharp furniture like nightstands should be moved away or their edges and headboard should be padded. To reduce the risk of injurious falls, a soft carpet, rug, or mat should be placed next to the bed. Patients with severe, uncontrolled RBD should be recommended to sleep separately from their partners, or at the minimum, to place a pillow between themselves and their partners. RECOMMENDATIONS: The following recommendations, with medications listed in alphabetical order, are a guide for clinicians in choosing a specific treatment for RBD in adults. Each recommendation statement is assigned a strength (strong or conditional). A strong recommendation (ie, We recommend…) is one that clinicians should follow under most circumstances. A conditional recommendation (ie, We suggest…) is one that requires that the clinician use clinical knowledge and experience and strongly consider the patients values and preferences to determine the best course of action. UNLABELLED: Adult patients with isolated RBD. UNLABELLED: 1. The AASM suggests that clinicians use clonazepam (vs no treatment) for the treatment of isolated RBD in adults. (CONDITIONAL). UNLABELLED: 2. * The AASM suggests that clinicians use immediate-release melatonin (vs no treatment) for the treatment of isolated RBD in adults. (CONDITIONAL). UNLABELLED: 3. * The AASM suggests that clinicians use pramipexole (vs no treatment) for the treatment of isolated RBD in adults. (CONDITIONAL). UNLABELLED: 4. The AASM suggests that clinicians use transdermal rivastigmine (vs no treatment) for the treatment of isolated RBD in adults with mild cognitive impairment. (CONDITIONAL). UNLABELLED: Adult patients with secondary RBD due to medical condition. UNLABELLED: 5. * The AASM suggests that clinicians use clonazepam (vs no treatment) for the treatment of secondary RBD due to medical condition in adults. (CONDITIONAL). UNLABELLED: 6. * The AASM suggests that clinicians use immediate-release melatonin (vs no treatment) for the treatment of secondary RBD due to medical condition in adults. (CONDITIONAL). UNLABELLED: 7. The AASM suggests that clinicians use transdermal rivastigmine (vs no treatment) for the treatment of secondary RBD due to medical condition (Parkinson disease) in adults. (CONDITIONAL). UNLABELLED: 8. * The AASM suggests that clinicians not use deep brain stimulation (DBS; vs no treatment) for the treatment of secondary RBD due to medical condition in adults. (CONDITIONAL). UNLABELLED: Adult patients with drug-induced RBD. UNLABELLED: 9. * The AASM suggests that clinicians use drug discontinuation (vs drug continuation) for the treatment of drug-induced RBD in adults. (CONDITIONAL). UNLABELLED: * The Recommendations section of this paper includes remarks that provide additional context to guide clinicians with implementation of this recommendation. CITATION: Howell M, Avidan AY, Foldvary-Schaefer N, et al. Management of REM sleep behavior disorder: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine clinical practice guideline. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(4):759-768.

This systematic review provides supporting evidence for a clinical practice guideline for the management of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder in adults and children. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine commissioned a task force of 7 experts in sleep medicine. A systematic review was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials and observational studies that addressed interventions for the management of REM sleep behavior disorder in adults and children. Statistical analyses were performed to determine the clinical significance of critical and important outcomes. Finally, the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) process was used to assess the evidence for making recommendations. The literature search identified 4,690 studies; 148 studies provided data suitable for statistical analyses; evidence for 45 interventions is presented. The task force provided a detailed summary of the evidence assessing the certainty of evidence, the balance of benefits and harms, patient values and preferences, and resource use considerations.CitationHowell M, Avidan AY, Foldvary-Schaefer N, et al. Management of REM sleep behavior disorder: an American Academy of Sleep Medicine systematic review, meta-analysis, and GRADE assessment. J Clin Sleep Med. 2023;19(4):769-810.

Parasomnias are a group of sleep disorders characterized by abnormal and unpleasant motor, verbal, or behavioral events that occur during sleep or during transitions between wake and sleep states. They disrupt sleep and can have a detrimental impact on the individual experiencing them. Our goal was to identify types of parasomnias and their prevalence in the current and recent post-secondary student population and to explore their coping strategies for parasomnias they found distressing. Seventy-seven post-secondary students completed the 21-item Munich Parasomnia Screening (MUPS) frequency scale. They also rated, on a 10-point scale, how disturbing each parasomnia experienced was. Not only did 92% percent of students report at least one parasomnia, but our results also indicate that the vast majority of students experienced several parasomnias. This led us to investigate the likelihood of the co-occurrence of different parasomnias. With respect to the level of subjectively experienced distress, the most prevalent parasomnias were not always the more disturbing. Coded open-ended responses about what students do about the disturbing parasomnias indicate that grounding strategies (i.e., coping strategies that help manage distressing feelings) and physical manipulation of one's body were the most common, although most participants indicated that in spite of distress, they do nothing to cope. In conclusion, our study found a strikingly high prevalence of parasomnias in this sample of young adults and a lack of knowledge about effective means of dealing with these. Therefore, we provide some accepted ways of dealing with these. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: One of the challenges in bipolar disorder (BD) lies in early detection of the illness and its recurrences, to improve prognosis. Sleep disturbances (SD) have been proposed as reliable predictive markers of conversion. While preliminary studies have explored the relationship between SD and the onset of mood episodes, the results remain heterogeneous and a few have specifically examined patients' perception of prodromal symptoms and their progression until the episode occurs. Identifying prodromes represents a crucial clinical challenge, as it enables early intervention, thereby reducing the severity of BD. Therefore, the objective of this study is to better characterize and evaluate the progressive nature of SD as prodromal symptoms of mood episodes, and patients' perception of it. Methods: Patients diagnosed with BD, either hospitalized or seeking treatment for a (hypo)manic or depressive episode benefited from standardized questionnaires, structured interviews, and self‐report questionnaires to evaluate SD prior to the current episode, as well as sociodemographic and clinical information. Results: Out of the 41 patients included, 59% spontaneously reported SD prior to the episode, appearing 90 days before depression and 35 days before mania (pre‐indexed/spontaneous reports: 51.22% insomnia complaints, 4.88% hypersomnolence complaints, 7.32% parasomnias, 2.44% sleep movements). After inquiry about specific SD, the percentage of patients reporting prodromal SD increased significantly to 83%, appearing 210 days before depression and 112.5 days before mania (post‐indexed reports: 75.61% presented with insomnia complaints appearing 150 days before depression and 20 days before mania, 46.34% had hypersomnolence complaints appearing 60 days before depression, 43.9% had parasomnias appearing 210 days before depression and 22.5 days before mania, 36.59% had sleep movements appearing 120 days before depression and 150 days before mania). Of note, bruxism appeared in 35% of patients before mania, and restless legs syndrome in 20% of patients before depression. Conclusion: This study highlights the very high prevalence of SD prior to a mood episode in patients with BD with differences between depressive and manic episodes. The more systematic screening of sleep alterations of the prodromal phase improved the recognition and characterization of different symptoms onset by patients. This underscores the need for precise questioning regarding sleep patterns in patients, to better identify the moment of transition toward a mood episode, referred to as "Chronos syndrome". The study emphasizes the importance of educating patients about the disorder and its sleep prodromal symptoms to facilitate early intervention and prevent recurrences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aims to provide physicians with insights into the clinical manifestations and outcomes of children and young adolescents experiencing sleep terrors following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: We enrolled patients who developed new onset sleep terrors after SARS-CoV-2infection fromDecember2022to April 2023 in the Xijing hospital, Xi'an, China. Results: We enrolled six patients who experienced sleep terrors following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Out of these patients, five were children and only one was an adolescent, with a mean age of 9 years. Neuroimaging results were negative for all cases. Sleep terrors occurred during both the active course of COVID-19 illness and the recovery period in all patients. Symptoms included crying or screaming in terror, hyperactivity, inappropriate behavior and periods of mental confusion during sleep. These episodes typically occurred 40 min to 1 h after falling asleep. EEG monitoring confirmed two patients' episodes occurred during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) stage 3 sleep. The duration of sleep terrors ranged from 3mines to30 mines, with each patient experiencing 3–4 to 30–40 instances. Initially, the frequency of episodes was highest at 3–4 times per night, gradually decreasing to once a night, then once a week, until complete disappearance. No medical intervention was required. Clinical follow-up ranged from 6 to 12 months, with spontaneous remission occurring within 1 week to 2 months for different patients. Conclusion: SARS-CoV-2 infection may precipitate acute sleep terrors in children and adolescents. The course of these sleep terrors is generally benign, with all patients achieving spontaneous complete remission over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Sleep disorders (SDs) are among many co-morbid medical conditions that affect children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Raising awareness and improving the standard of care for children diagnosed with ASD may result from identifying SDs among them. This study aims to evaluate patterns of SDs among Sudanese children diagnosed with ASD. Method: Using the Childhood Sleep Habit Questionnaire (CSHQ) to gather data on sleep disorders and SPSS version 26.0 for data analysis, a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in the five main autistic centres in Khartoum state covering all registered patients with ASD between April and June 2022. Ninety-two children diagnosed with ASD were enrolled in this study after the purpose of the research was explained and consent was obtained from their guardians. A p-value < 0.05 was considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: The mean age was 6.90 (± 2.6) years with a boys-to-girls ratio of 2.17:1. The prevalence of SDs (at least one sleep condition almost daily) was 95.65%. Sleep onset 71 (77.2%), limit setting 32 (32.6%), resistant onset to sleep 48 (52.2%), and combined 52 (56.5%) insomnia affected the majority of children. Additionally, there were significant associations between sex and Limit-setting insomnia, advanced sleep phase disorder, and narcolepsy type 2 (P values = 0.033, 0.009, and 0.037, respectively). Additionally, there was a significant association between age and sleep-related breathing disorders-snoring (p value = 0.031). Conclusion: The frequency of SDs is significant among children diagnosed with ASD from Sudan, and certain SDs are associated with age and sex. Subsequent studies are required to develop national guidelines for the prevalence, presentation, screening, and treatment of SDs in children diagnosed with ASD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Sleepwalking and related parasomnias are thought to result from incomplete awakenings out of non‐rapid eye movement (non‐REM) sleep. Non‐REM parasomnia behaviours have been described as unconscious and automatic, or related to vivid, dream‐like conscious experiences. Similarly, some observations have suggested that patients are unresponsive during episodes, while others that they can interact with their surroundings. To better grasp and characterise the full spectrum of consciousness and environmental (dis)connection associated with behavioural episodes, 35 adult patients with non‐REM sleep parasomnias were interviewed in‐depth about their experiences. The level of consciousness during parasomnia episodes was reported to be variable both within and between individuals, ranging from minimal or absent consciousness and largely automatic behaviours (frequently/always present in 36% of patients) to preserved conscious experiences characterised by delusional thinking to varying degrees of specificity (65%), often about impending danger, variably formed, uni‐ or multisensory hallucinations (53%), impaired insight (77%), negative emotions (75%), and variable, but often pronounced, amnesia (30%). Patients described their experiences as a dream scene during which they felt awake (“awake dreaming”). The surroundings were either realistically perceived, misinterpreted (in the form of perceptual illusions or misidentifications of people), or entirely hallucinated as a function of the prevailing delusion. These observations suggest that the level of consciousness, amnesia and sensory disconnection during non‐REM parasomnia episodes is variable and graded. In their full‐fledged expression, non‐REM parasomnia experiences feature several core features of dreams. They therefore represent a valuable model for the study of consciousness, sleep‐related sensory disconnection and dreaming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Sleep-related eating disorder (SRED) is a non-REM parasomnia with potentially significant negative effects on general health (dangerous activities during night eating episodes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, for example). Although the history of SRED encompasses more than six decades, public awareness and even the awareness of the mental health specialists of this disorder is very limited, a phenomenon that hinders the development of research in this field. Therefore, a systematic review based on PRISMA 2020 guidelines explored the available evidence for SRED found in four electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration, Google Scholar, and Clarivate/Web of Science). A number of 94 primary and secondary reports were retrieved, investigating aspects regarding the risk factors, epidemiology, clinical data and differential diagnosis, epidemiology, structured evaluation, and treatment of SRED. Based on the results of these reports, Z-drugs, but also certain benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and psychostimulants may trigger the onset of SRED. Psychiatric and neurologic disorders have also been associated with SRED, either as risk factors or comorbid conditions. Cerebral glucose metabolism dysfunctions, neurotransmitter dysfunctions, and genetic factors have been invoked as pathogenetic contributors. Structured assessment of SRED is possible, but there is a dearth of instruments dedicated to this purpose. Data on the prevalence and treatment of SRED exist, but good-quality epidemiological studies and clinical trials are still missing. In conclusion, future research is expected to address the shortcomings of SRED exploration by creating the conditions for better quality and larger group clinical research. The need for such investigation is granted by the importance of this pathology and its negative functional consequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasomnia is potentially implicated in sleep pattern and sleep architecture, however, evidence is quite limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between parasomnia symptoms and sleep onset delay among children through a large epidemiological study. Two rounds of cross-sectional studies were conducted among 21,704 children aged 3–11; one taking place in Shanghai and the other in Sanya, Hainan province. Children's sleep characteristics were evaluated using the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Propensity score matching was adopted to balance the difference of covariates, and the logistic regression models were implemented to examine the associations between parasomnia symptoms and sleep onset delay. A total of 38.2 % of children had sleep onset delay. Parasomnias, especially non rapid eye movement (NREM) and rapid eye movement (REM) parasomnia symptoms, were associated with an increased risk of sleep onset delay (Sleep Walking: OR = 1.55; Sleep Terror: OR = 1.34; Nightmare: OR = 1.37, all p˂ 0.001). The similar findings were observed in stratified analyses according to sleep duration, and the association was pronounced in sleep sufficiency group (Sleep Walking: OR = 1.62; Sleep Terror: OR = 1.35; Nightmare: OR = 1.35, all p˂ 0.001). Moreover, a dose-dependent pattern was observed, in which cumulative parasomnia symptoms were associated with increasing risk of sleep onset delay (2 symptoms: OR = 1.19; ≥3 symptoms: OR = 1.40; by comparison with ≤1 symptom). All these findings were also similarly observed in the propensity score matching sample. Moreover, the associations were generally established in both Shanghai and Sanya children. Parasomnia symptoms were associated with a higher risk of sleep onset delay independently of sleep duration among children. More studies are needed to enrich the current evidence, thus further clarifying the association and interaction among different sleep parameters. • Associations exist between parasomnia symptoms, especially non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias, and sleep onset delay. • This association persisted across different sleep durations and exhibited a dose-dependent pattern. • Our results underscore the critical role of parasomnias in childhood sleep disturbances, prompting further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic increased symptoms of stress and anxiety and induced changes in sleep quality, dream activity, and parasomnia episodes. It has been shown that stressful factors and/or bad sleep habits can affect parasomnia behaviors. However, investigations on how COVID-19 has affected sleep, dreams, and episode frequency in parasomnias are rare. The current study focuses on the impact of the pandemic on a specific parasomnia characterized by speech production (sleep talking, ST). Methods: We selected 27 participants with frequent ST episodes (STs) during the pandemic and compared them with 27 participants with frequent STs from a previous study conducted during a pre-pandemic period. All participants performed home monitoring through sleep logs and recorded their nocturnal STs for one week. Results: We observed a higher frequency of STs in the pandemic group. Moreover, STs were related to the emotional intensity of dreams, independent of the pandemic condition. The pandemic was associated with lower bizarreness of dreams in the pandemic group. There were no differences in sleep variables between the two groups. Conclusion: Overall, these results suggest a stressful effect of COVID-19 on the frequency of STs. Both the pandemic and the frequency of STs affect qualitative characteristics of dreams in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Parasomnias often cause injuries needing prevention. • Identifying phenotypes across age and sex groups may help risk-management. • Elderly people have a low probability of sleepwalking; there is a descending "age-slope". • Adult women have a high risk of performing dangerous activities during sleepwalking. • The male dominance of RBD calls for explanation. • RBD justifies safety measures for protecting patient and bed partner. Finding typical patterns - phenotypes - of sleep behaviors characterizing parasomnias in different age and sex groups. We analyzed YouTube videos on sleep-related behaviors likely representing parasomnias. We applied the search terms "sleepwalking", "somnambulism", "sleep eating", "sleep sex", "sleep talking", and "aggression in sleep" in six languages. We classified those persons shown on the videos into estimated biological sex and age (child, adult, elderly) groups. We scored the activity types by a self-made scale and applied binary logistic regression to analyze the association between sleep behaviors versus sex and age groups by the STATA package, providing a 95% confidence interval and the probability of statistical significance. 224 videos (102 women, 68 children, 16 adults, and 40 elderly people) were scored. Elderly people had significantly (P < 0.012) lower odds of sleepwalking compared to adults and children. Adult females performed complex manual activities during sleepwalking more often than males (P < 0.012). Elderly males had 40-fold odds compared to adults and children, to perform aggressive movements and 70-fold odds of complex movements in bed, compared to adults. Elderly people presented emotional behaviors less frequently than adults (P < 0.004), and females showed them twice as often as males. Adults sleep-talked full sentences more often than children and elderly people (P < 0.001). Our results support the existence of age- and sex-specific parasomnia phenotypes, denoting possible safety measures. The remarkably low odds of sleepwalking in the elderly highlight the possibility of different pathomechanisms in higher age groups compared to children. Parasomnias present highly variable clinical forms and often cause injuries. Identifying typical phenotypes may help risk management and imply theoretical conclusions. Our study supports the existence of age-specific parasomnia phenotypes. We found that adult women have a high risk of performing dangerous activities during sleep, and elderly males often move violently in bed, likely representing dream enactment behaviors. Elderly people of both sexes have low odds of sleep ambulation- likely representing somnambulism; compared to adults and children, constituting a descending "age slope" of somnambulism that might reflect different underlying pathomechanisms in children versus adults and the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia characterised by the loss of REM sleep muscle atonia and the enactment of dreams. Acute RBD associated with alcohol withdrawal syndrome is known, but the studies are limited, particularly on its neurobiological underpinnings and management alongside the withdrawal state. This work attempts to address this using a case study and relevant literature review. Case Presentation: A 40‐year‐old male with alcohol dependence (for 20 years) reported new‐onset terrifying nightmares and violent behaviours in his sleep precipitated by alcohol withdrawal states for the last 18 months. The polysomnographic finding of REM‐without‐atonia supported the diagnosis of RBD. He was treated with chlordiazepoxide 100 mg/day (gradually tapered and stopped) and thiamine supplements. Post‐discharge, he remained abstinent and symptom‐free during the three months of follow‐up. Discussion: RBD related to alcohol withdrawal syndrome has been previously described in a few anecdotal reports. Sudden withdrawal from central nervous system suppressants like alcohol is hypothesised to cause a homeostatic imbalance in gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) pathways and 'REM rebound', resulting in the clinical and polysomnographic picture of RBD. Benzodiazepines have been found to be useful in both RBD and alcohol withdrawal. Conclusions: Alcohol withdrawal syndrome may present with acute RBD, which can be treated with a short course of benzodiazepine. However, further studies are needed to explore the long‐term course of RBD in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep-related eating disorder (SRED) is a relatively rare but probably underestimated disorder, where affected patients exhibit nocturnal eating episodes with impaired consciousness and subsequent amnesia. SRED has originally been classified as NREM (non-rapid eye movement) parasomnia, with an obviously high number of concomitant sleep disorders. We suggest that SRED may represent a heterogenous disease, based on accumulating data in recent studies. Some SRED patients may be better classified as sleep-related movement disorders with an underlying dopaminergic dysfunction. Hypnotic drugs may play a crucial role in triggering amnestic SRED in both parasomnic and sleep-related movement-disordered SRED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Healthy sleep is of utmost importance for growth, development, and overall health. Strong evidence shows that sleep is affected negatively in patients and particularly children with Tourette Disorder (TD). There is also a frequent association of TD with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) which alone has negative effects on sleep and cumulatively worsens the associated sleep findings. The most consistent polysomnographic findings in patients with TD is decreased total sleep time, lower sleep efficiency and an elevated arousal index. Polysomnography studies have confirmed the presence of movements and persistence of tics during both Rapid Eye Movement (REM) and NREM sleep [1]. In general Patients with TD are found to have an increased incidence of sleep onset and sleep maintenance insomnia. Some studies have shown increased incidence of parasomnias (including sleepwalking, sleep talking and night terrors), but this may be confounded by the increased underlying sleep disruptions seen in TD. The hypersomnolence found in patients with TD is also suggested to be secondary to the underlying TD sleep disruption. There is not a significant association with sleep disordered breathing or circadian rhythm disorders and TD. Treatment of underlying TD is important for the improvement of sleep related TD manifestations and is outlined in this review.

Introduction: Sleep disorders are the most common behavioral complaints in children. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the sleep habits of children admitted to Amirkabir Hospital, Arak, Iran. Material & Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, children aged 4 to 12 years admitted to Amirkabir Hospital clinic in 2021 were randomly studied. Data obtained from the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire were analyzed using SPSS24.0 software. Findings: A total of 295 children with a mean age of 7.26±2.27 years were studied. The prevalence of the disorder in sleep habits was 67.4%. Among the children with disturbed sleep habits, 193 (96.9%) had poor sleep habits and 6 (3.1%) had average sleep habits. The total sleep habits score was significantly higher in girls, unwanted children, and children with divorced parents, low parental education level, and incompatible parents (P0.05). Discussion & Conclusion: In this study, most children showed disturbed sleep habits. Considering that children's poor sleep habits may be a contributing factor for stress, pressure, and tension in the family, mass education and psychiatric intervention are needed in this regard.

Sleep-related eating disorder (SRED) is a non-REM parasomnia with potentially significant negative effects on general health (dangerous activities during night eating episodes, obesity, or metabolic syndrome, for example). Although the history of SRED encompasses more than six decades, public awareness and even the awareness of the mental health specialists of this disorder is very limited, a phenomenon that hinders the development of research in this field. Therefore, a systematic review based on PRISMA 2020 guidelines explored the available evidence for SRED found in four electronic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Collaboration, Google Scholar, and Clarivate/Web of Science). A number of 94 primary and secondary reports were retrieved, investigating aspects regarding the risk factors, epidemiology, clinical data and differential diagnosis, epidemiology, structured evaluation, and treatment of SRED. Based on the results of these reports, Z-drugs, but also certain benzodiazepines, antidepressants, antipsychotics, and psychostimulants may trigger the onset of SRED. Psychiatric and neurologic disorders have also been associated with SRED, either as risk factors or comorbid conditions. Cerebral glucose metabolism dysfunctions, neurotransmitter dysfunctions, and genetic factors have been invoked as pathogenetic contributors. Structured assessment of SRED is possible, but there is a dearth of instruments dedicated to this purpose. Data on the prevalence and treatment of SRED exist, but good-quality epidemiological studies and clinical trials are still missing. In conclusion, future research is expected to address the shortcomings of SRED exploration by creating the conditions for better quality and larger group clinical research. The need for such investigation is granted by the importance of this pathology and its negative functional consequences.

Summary: Maternal depressive symptoms are associated with poorer sleep quality in their children. Although parasomnias can occur at any age, this group of sleep disorders is more common in children. The aim of this study was to assess whether maternal depression trajectories predict parasomnias at the age of 11 years. Data were from a Birth Cohort of 4231 individuals followed in the city of Pelotas, Brazil. Maternal depressive symptoms were assessed with the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 12, 24, and 48 months, and 6 and 11 years postpartum. Maternal depression trajectories were calculated using a group‐based modelling approach. Information on any parasomnias (confused arousals, sleepwalking, night terrors, and nightmares) was provided by the mother. Five trajectories of maternal depressive symptoms were identified: chronic‐low (34.9%), chronic‐moderate (41.4%), increasing (10.3%), decreasing (8.9%), and chronic‐high (4.4%). The prevalence of any parasomnia at the age of 11 years was 16.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 15.6%–18.1%). Confusional arousal was the most prevalent type of parasomnia (14.5%) and varied from 8.7% to 14.7%, 22.9%, 20.3%, and 27.5% among children of mothers at chronic‐low, moderate‐low, increasing, decreasing, and chronic‐high trajectories, respectively (p < 0.001). Compared to children from mothers in the chronic‐low trajectory, the adjusted prevalence ratio for any parasomnia was 1.58 (95% CI 1.29–1.94), 2.34 (95% CI 1.83–2.98), 2.15 (95% CI 1.65–2.81), and 3.07 (95% CI 2.31–4.07) among those from mothers in the moderate‐low, increasing, decreasing, and chronic‐high trajectory groups, respectively (p < 0.001). In conclusion, parasomnias were more prevalent among children of mothers with chronic symptoms of depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The relationship between sleep and epilepsy is bidirectional. Certain epilepsy syndromes predominantly or exclusively manifest during sleep, with seizures frequently originating from non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Interictal epileptiform discharges observed on electroencephalograms are most likely to be activated during the deep NREM sleep stage known as N3. Conversely, epileptiform discharges, anti-seizure medications (ASMs), as well as other anti-seizure therapies can exert detrimental effects on sleep architecture. Moreover, the co-occurrence of sleep disorders has the potential to exacerbate seizure control. Understating the relationship between sleep and epilepsy is crucial for healthcare providers. Addressing and managing sleep-related problems in individuals with epilepsy can potentially contribute to improved seizure control and overall well-being. At the same time, improving seizure control can improve sleep quality and quantity, thus further improving the health of individuals with epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Catathrenia, derived from the Greek κατά (kata) meaning below and θρηνώ (threnia) to lament, is characterized by expiratory groaning episodes during sleep. In a case series of nine patients with severe obstructive sleep apnea, we observed a peculiar groaning entity that has not been described before. We described and illustrated the cases with polysomnographic tracings and additional audio recordings. All patients were men, obese (body mass index 39 ± 6 kg/m2) with an apnea-hypopnea index ranging from 47 to 125/h. In addition, we identified groaning events that were consistently preceded by a cortical arousal associated with a "rescue" respiration after an obstructive hypopnea or apnea. These events exhibited characteristics of "mixed apnea's", but the "central apnea-like part" was a prolonged expiratory groaning phase, with immediately after the terminal expiratory snort appearance of an obstructive apnea. In case the duration of this expiration was at least 10 s we calculated these events separately and the index was 8.4 ± 7.7/h. More rarely (index 0.6 ± 0.5/h) a "central apnea mimicking event" with groaning not followed by an obstruction, was observed. We also observed groaning episodes during expiration with a shorter duration (less than 10 s), not calculated separately. Positive airway pressure, which was well tolerated, eliminated these events. This novel catathrenia entity preceded by a cortical arousal and "rescue" respiration in response to obstructive events is intriguing. Possible explanations for these observations are further discussed in this article. •We observed catathrenia (stereotypical deep inspiration followed by protracted expiration with groaning) in patients with severe apnea. • These events were characterized by a remarkable reduction in steepness of the oxygen desaturation. • The catathrenia resolved with the use of positive airway pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

REM sleep behavior disorder is parasomnia characterized by unpleasant dreams and dream-enactment behaviors associated with excessive electromyography activity in REM sleep. This may appear idiopathic or secondary to other neurological or medical conditions. REM sleep behavior disorder, which appears to be idiopathic, most often implies the possibility of later neurodegenerative diseases due to synucleinopathy, so accurate diagnosis is important in predicting prognosis. For the diagnosis of REM sleep behavioral disorder, REM sleep without atonia, which appears in the polysomnography, is essential. Obstructive sleep apnea, trauma-related sleep disorders, and vigorous periodic leg movements during sleep are known as diseases that show dream enactment behavior in elderly patients. Considering that it may be accompanied by other sleep disorders that can mimic REM sleep behavioral disorders, it is important to differentiate sleep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sexsomnia is one type of parasomnia that can negatively impact the quality of life for individuals affected and potentially lead to legal complications. The growing prevalence of sexsomnia demands attention due to the widespread misinformation and the misconception that it is not a medical issue. This review will delve deeper into sexsomnia, including its diagnosis and management. Parasomnia refers to undesired physical events or experiences that occur during various stages of sleep. Sexsomnia, a form of parasomnia associated with non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, is characterized by unconscious, abnormal sexual behavior. Sexsomnia can manifest during any sleep phase but is most frequently observed during NREM sleep. Clinical manifestations of sexsomnia include vocalizations, fondling, kissing, masturbation, and even engaging in sexual intercourse without recollection upon waking. A comprehensive evaluation, including a thorough medical history and additional investigations such as polysomnography with electroencephalography, aids in establishing a diagnosis of sexsomnia. Presently, there is no definitive treatment for sexsomnia. Management approaches involve non-pharmacological and pharmacological. Sexsomnia, if not recognized as early as possible, can have detrimental effects on both the affected individual and the surrounding environment. Lack of awareness about sexsomnia and hesitation to seek treatment contribute to the lack of information about its prevalence. In-depth knowledge is crucial for accurate diagnosis and determining the appropriate management strategies for this condition. Further research is needed to determine sexsomnia and its management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This study aimed to determine the frequency, type, and correlates of a broad spectrum of sleep disorders in adults with COVID-19 up to 32 months after infection. Methods: We conducted a national online survey (Jun 2021–Dec 2022), gathering information on COVID-19 diagnosis, acute disease course, and the subsequent development of sleep disorders from 1507 respondents (mean age 44.5 ± 13.1 years, 64.1% women). Results: 81.3% (1223) reported at least one sleep difficulty that either worsened or first appeared with COVID-19. Females reported a higher number of symptoms (2.03 ± 1.44 versus 1.72 ± 1.43 in men, p

Non-rapid eye movement (NREM) parasomnias are often benign and transient, requiring no formal treatment. However, parasomnias can also be chronic, disrupt sleep quality, and pose a significant risk of harm to the patient or others. Numerous behavioral strategies have been described for the management of NREM parasomnias, but there have been no published comprehensive reviews. This systematic review was conducted to summarize the range of behavioral and psychological interventions and their efficacy. We conducted a systematic search of the literature to identify all reports of behavioral and psychological treatments for NREM parasomnias (confusional arousals, sexsomnia, sleepwalking, sleep terrors, sleep-related eating disorder, parasomnia overlap disorder). This review was conducted in line with PRISMA guidelines. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021230360). The search was conducted in the following databases (initially on March 10, 2021 and updated February 24, 2023): Ovid (MEDLINE), Cochrane Library databases (Wiley), CINAHL (EBSCO), PsycINFO (EBSCO), and Web of Science (Clarivate). Given a lack of standardized quantitative outcome measures, a narrative synthesis approach was used. Risk of bias assessment used tools from Joanna Briggs Institute. A total of 72 publications in four languages were included, most of which were case reports (68%) or case series (21%). Children were included in 32 publications and adults in 44. The most common treatment was hypnosis (33 publications) followed by various types of psychotherapy (31), sleep hygiene (19), education/reassurance (15), relaxation (10), scheduled awakenings (9), sleep extension/scheduled naps (9), and mindfulness (5). Study designs and inconsistent outcome measures limited the evidence for specific treatments, but some evidence supports multicomponent CBT , sleep hygiene, scheduled awakenings, and hypnosis. This review highlights the wide breadth of behavioral and psychological interventions for managing NREM parasomnias. Evidence for the efficacy of these treatments is limited by the retrospective and uncontrolled nature of most research as well as the infrequent use of validated quantitative outcome measures. Behavioral and psychological treatments have been studied alone and in various combinations, and recent publications suggest a trend toward preference for multicomponent cognitive behavioral therapies designed to specifically target priming and precipitating factors of NREM parasomnias. [Display omitted] • 72 publications reported behavioral and psychological treatments for NREM parasomnias (1909–2023). • Most have been case reports (68%) or case series (21%). • Hypnosis and psychotherapies were the most common treatments reported. • Evidence for specific treatments is limited by study designs and measurement methods. • Multicomponent cognitive behavioral therapy is emerging as a favored approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Previous studies have found significant associations between paranormal beliefs and sleep variables. However, these have been conducted on a small scale and are limited in the number of sleep variables investigated. This study aims to fill a gap in the literature by investigating paranormal beliefs in relation to a wide range of sleep variables in a large sample. Participants (N = 8853) completed a survey initiated by the BBC Focus Magazine. They reported on their demographics, sleep disturbances and paranormal beliefs. Poorer subjective sleep quality (lower sleep efficiency, longer sleep latency, shorter sleep duration and increased insomnia symptoms) was associated with greater endorsement of belief in: (1) the soul living on after death; (2) the existence of ghosts; (3) demons; (4) an ability for some people to communicate with the dead; (5) near‐death experiences are evidence for life after death; and (6) aliens have visited earth. In addition, episodes of exploding head syndrome and isolated sleep paralysis were associated with the belief that aliens have visited earth. Isolated sleep paralysis was also associated with the belief that near‐death experiences are evidence for life after death. Findings obtained here indicate that there are associations between beliefs in the paranormal and various sleep variables. This information could potentially better equip us to support sleep via psychoeducation. Mechanisms underlying these associations are likely complex, and need to be further explored to fully understand why people sometimes report "things that go bump in the night". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]