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Related Experiment Videos

Sleep paralysis in the elderly.

Y K Wing1, H Chiu, T Leung

  • 1Department of Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China. YKWING@Cuhk.edu.hk

Journal of Sleep Research
|July 2, 1999
PubMed
Summary
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Isolated sleep paralysis (SP), known as ghost oppression (GO) in Hong Kong Chinese, affects nearly 18% of the elderly. This common sleep phenomenon shows a bimodal onset, with a significant portion of cases appearing after age 60.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Cultural Psychiatry

Background:

  • Isolated sleep paralysis (SP) is a sleep disorder often influenced by cultural beliefs.
  • In Hong Kong, the 'ghost oppression phenomenon' (GO) is culturally recognized and shares descriptive similarities with SP.
  • Previous research suggests SP primarily begins in adolescence, but late-onset cases in older populations remain understudied.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prevalence of SP, using the revised GO questionnaire, in elderly individuals over 70 in Hong Kong.
  • To explore the onset patterns and associated sleep disturbances of SP/GO in this demographic.

Main Methods:

  • A study was conducted on elderly Chinese individuals aged over 70 in Hong Kong.
  • The revised ghost oppression (GO) questionnaire was used to assess SP prevalence.

Related Experiment Videos

  • 158 subjects were analyzed for GO experiences and onset patterns.

    • Main Results:

    • Nearly 18% of elderly subjects reported GO experiences, consistent with SP symptoms.
    • A bimodal distribution of GO onset was observed, with peaks in adolescence and after age 60.
    • At least one-third of cases represented late-onset SP, and GO+ individuals reported more nocturnal sleep disturbances.

    Conclusions:

    • Sleep paralysis (SP) affects a significant portion of the elderly population in Hong Kong, often presenting as late-onset.
    • The findings support the REM/wakefulness dissociation hypothesis of SP.
    • Cultural interpretations like 'ghost oppression' (GO) are crucial for understanding SP across different age groups.