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Sleepwalking.

Valérie Cochen De Cock1,2

  • 1Pôle Sommeil, Clinique Beau Soleil, 119 avenue de Lodève, 34070, Montpellier, France. valerie.cochen@gmail.com.

Current Treatment Options in Neurology
|February 15, 2016
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Sleepwalking (SW), a non-REM sleep arousal disorder, typically requires minimal intervention. However, severe or dangerous episodes may necessitate medical treatment, including medications like clonazepam and psychotherapy.

Keywords:
Alcohol consumptionClonazepamQuality of lifeSleepwalkingViolenceZ-drugs

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Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Sleep Medicine
  • Parasomnias

Background:

  • Sleepwalking (SW) is a parasomnia characterized by abnormal behaviors during sleep.
  • It arises from incomplete arousal during slow-wave sleep, affecting brain regions unevenly.
  • While often benign in children, SW can become debilitating due to frequency, risk, or impact on quality of life.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the management strategies for sleepwalking (SW).
  • To discuss the conditions under which SW requires medical intervention.
  • To review potential treatments for persistent or dangerous SW episodes.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical presentation and management of sleepwalking.
  • Discussion of non-pharmacological interventions including sleep hygiene and environmental safety.
  • Exploration of pharmacological and psychotherapeutic treatment options.

Main Results:

  • Mild SW episodes typically managed with reassurance and environmental safety measures.
  • Addressing precipitants like sleep-disordered breathing can reduce SW frequency.
  • Clonazepam is frequently used off-label with reported efficacy; antidepressants and psychotherapy are alternatives.

Conclusions:

  • Most sleepwalking cases require only reassurance and safety precautions.
  • Persistent, dangerous, or quality-of-life-impacting SW warrants medical evaluation and treatment.
  • While evidence is limited, clonazepam, antidepressants, and psychotherapy offer potential therapeutic benefits.