NREM parasomnia: natural course, triggers and influence on QoL

• Research type

  Research Study

• Full title

  NREM parasomnia: natural course of the disorder, trigger factors and influence on quality of life

• IRAS ID

  172531

• Contact name

  Sofia Eriksson

• Contact email

  sofia.eriksson@ucl.ac.uk

• Sponsor organisation

  Joint Research Office UCL

• Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier

  Z6364106/2015/01/54, UCL data protection number

• Duration of Study in the UK

  2 years, 0 months, 0 days

• Research summary

  Sleep is divided into rapid eye movement (REM) and non­REM (NREM) sleep that are in turn divided into stage I­IV (lighter to deeper sleep). NREM parasomnias are unwanted night-time events such as sleepwalking and night terrors that are thought to be due to incomplete awakening from deep NREM sleep. This causes people to carry out activities such as walking without clear memory or control of events. NREM parasomnias are very common in children, affecting about 20%, and usually disappear after adolescence. Still, as many as 3% of adults sleep walk at least once a year and up to 0.2% have episodes every week, with a high propensity of sleep-related injuries. Events can be triggered by factors causing increase in deep sleep (sleep deprivation) or sleep disruption (stress) and symptoms and severity often vary over time.
  The aim of this study is to systematically examine the natural course and triggers of NREM parasomnia, and assess the impact of its severity on individuals’ quality of life (QoL). This will improve our understanding of the natural progression of NREM parasomnias, and influence of environmental factors such as stress and anxiety. Patients often highlight the effects of their sleep disorder on their bed partner and relationships and we will therefore also study bed partner’s QoL and sleep disruption. This study will provide insight into the attitudes of patients and bed partners towards potential pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment, and if and/or how they feel this may improve overall quality of life.
  Recently a screening tool assessing the severity of NREM parasomnias has been developed, enabling us to follow the natural progression and severity over time. The severity can also be correlated with potential trigger factors and QoL. NREM parasomnia patients will be asked to complete a range of questionnaires and in-depth interviews.

• REC name

  London - South East Research Ethics Committee

• REC reference

  15/LO/0720

• Date of REC Opinion

  1 May 2015

• REC opinion

  Further Information Favourable Opinion