Subjective sleep‐related variables in those who have and have not experienced sleep paralysis

Abstract

Research suggests that poor sleep quality is related to the occurrence of sleep paralysis, although the precise relationship between these two variables is unknown. This association has generated interest due to the related possibility that improving sleep quality could help to combat episodes of sleep paralysis. To date, studies examining the association between sleep quality and sleep paralysis have typically measured sleep quality using general measures such as the global score of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The aim of this study was to increase the precision of our understanding of the relationship between sleep paralysis and other aspects of sleep by investigating associations between different sleep-related variables and sleep paralysis. Using data from the G1219 twin/sibling study, analyses were performed on 860 individuals aged 22-32 years (66% female). Results showed that two components of the PSQI, sleep latency and daytime dysfunction, were predictors of sleep paralysis. In addition, a number of other sleep-related variables were related significantly to sleep paralysis. These were: insomnia symptoms, sleep problems commonly related to traumatic experiences, presleep arousal, cognitions about sleep and excessive daytime sleepiness. There was no relationship with sleep-disordered breathing, diurnal preference or sleeping arrangements. Potential mechanisms underlying these results and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Relationships between sleep paralysis and sleep quality: current insights

“…Measuring symptoms of insomnia using Insomnia Symptoms Questionnaire, 36 one study found a significant association between sleep paralysis and insomnia symptoms. 35 Interestingly, this study found that when insomnia symptoms and global sleep quality were placed in the same regression model, only heightened insomnia symptoms independently predicted sleep paralysis. This may suggest that symptoms of insomnia are a more important predictor of sleep paralysis than general sleep quality.…”

“…Only one study has examined which of the seven components of the PSQI best predicts sleep paralysis. 35 Results of this work showed that longer sleep latency and increased daytime dysfunction were significantly associated with sleep paralysis. The sleep disruption component was also significant but did not survive multiple comparison correction.…”

“… 29 Variables associated with insomnia such as increased cognitive and somatic presleep arousal have been linked to sleep paralysis. 35 Furthermore, faulty cognitions about sleep, such as being worried about losing control over one’s own ability to sleep and being overwhelmed by thoughts at night and feeling that one has no control over these thoughts, has been associated with increased odds of sleep paralysis in one study. 35 …”

“…This idea is supported by one study, which found that dysfunctional beliefs about sleep and levels of presleep arousal were both predictive of sleep paralysis. 35 Again, this was a cross-sectional study making it impossible to say whether these variables were a cause or consequence (or both) of sleep paralysis.…”

“…The sleep disruption component was also significant but did not survive multiple comparison correction. 35 This suggests that sleep latency [how long it takes to fall asleep, assessed by the PSQI by the items “During the past month, how long (in minutes) does it usually take you to fall asleep at night” and “During the past month, how often have you had trouble sleeping because you cannot get to sleep within 30 minutes”] and daytime dysfunction (the impact bad sleep has on waking life, assessed by the items “During the past month, how often have you had trouble staying awake while driving, eating meals, or engaging in social activity” and “During the past month, how much of a problem has it been for you to keep up enough enthusiasm to get things done”) are the most important aspects of sleep quality associated with sleep paralysis.…”