A Comprehensive Review of Sleepwalking
Research Article
Open Access
CC BY

A Comprehensive Review of Sleepwalking

Yuzhe Feng 1*
1 International Curriculum Center of Beijing Foreign Studies University, Beijing, China, 100089
*Corresponding author: fengyuzhe2026@outlook.com
Published on 30 July 2025
Volume Cover
TNS Vol.133
ISSN (Print): 2753-8826
ISSN (Online): 2753-8818
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-303-1
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-304-8
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Abstract

Sleepwalking, a prevalent parasomnia disorder characterized by complex motor activities during non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep, affects individuals across the lifespan, with distinct developmental patterns. It is especially common among children. Their behaviors can vary from simple actions like sitting up or walking in bed to more complex ones such as dressing or opening doors. These actions are typically purposeless and mechanical, with reduced awareness of the environment and limited responses to external stimuli. In adults, sleepwalking behaviors are generally less frequent but can still involve similar mechanical and purposeless actions. Stress, irregular sleep patterns, and environmental factors often act as triggers. Both pediatric and adult populations require age-specific management strategies to address sleepwalking effectively. For children, ensuring regular sleep routines and avoiding forced awakenings are key, with professional help recommended if episodes occur frequently. For adults, maintaining consistent sleep habits, managing stress, and creating a safe environment is crucial, with medical intervention suggested if sleepwalking persists. This paper provides a comprehensive review of current literature to explore multifaceted aspects of sleepwalking, focusing on its epidemiological characteristics, triggering mechanisms, clinical manifestations, pathophysiological underpinnings, and tailored management approaches for both children and adults.

Keywords:

Sleepwalking, Children, Adults, Genetic Factors, Sleep Disorders

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Feng,Y. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of Sleepwalking. Theoretical and Natural Science,133,23-28.

References

[1]. Petit D, Pennestri MH, Paquet J, et al. Childhood Sleepwalking and Sleep Terrors A Longitudinal Study of Prevalence and Familial Aggregation [J]. JAMA Pediatr, 2015, 169(7): 653 - 658.

[2]. Oudiette D, Leu S, Pottier M, et al. Dreamlike Mentations during Sleepwalking and Sleep Terrors in Adults [J]. SLEEP, 2009, 32(12): 1621 - 1627.

[3]. Zadra A, Desautels A, Petit D, et al. Somnambulism: clinical aspects and pathophysiological hypotheses [J]. Lancet Neurol, 2013, 12(3): 285 - 294.

[4]. Doe, J. Catching Zzzs: The Science of Sleep [/OL]. [irunfar.com]. (2025 - 05 - 07). https: //irunfar.com/catching-zzzs-the-science-of-sleep.

[5]. Stallman HM, Kohler M. Prevalence of Sleepwalking: A Systematic Review and Meta - Analysis [J]. PLoS ONE, 2016, 11(11): e0164769.

[6]. Hublin C, Kaprio J, Partinen M, et al. Prevalence and genetics of sleepwalking: A population - based twin study [J]. Neurology, 1997, 48(1): 177 - 181.

[7]. Guilleminault C, Palombini L, Pelayo R, et al. Sleepwalking and Sleep Terrors in Prepubertal Children: What Triggers Them? [J]. Pediatrics, 2003, 111(1): e17 - e25.

[8]. Wang X, et al. The relationship between work - related stress and sleepwalking in adults [J]. Stress and Health, 2018, 34(6): 545 - 552.

[9]. Guilleminault C, Kirisoglu C, da Rosa AC, et al. Sleepwalking, a disorder of NREM sleep instability [J]. Sleep Medicine, 2006, 7(2): 163 - 170.

[10]. Liu Z, et al. Association between sleepwalking and mental disorders in adults: a cross - sectional study [J]. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2019, 252: 10 - 16.

[11]. Arnulf I. Sleepwalking [J]. Current Biology, 2018, 28(22): R1283 - R1295.

References

[1]. Petit D, Pennestri MH, Paquet J, et al. Childhood Sleepwalking and Sleep Terrors A Longitudinal Study of Prevalence and Familial Aggregation [J]. JAMA Pediatr, 2015, 169(7): 653 - 658.

[2]. Oudiette D, Leu S, Pottier M, et al. Dreamlike Mentations during Sleepwalking and Sleep Terrors in Adults [J]. SLEEP, 2009, 32(12): 1621 - 1627.

[3]. Zadra A, Desautels A, Petit D, et al. Somnambulism: clinical aspects and pathophysiological hypotheses [J]. Lancet Neurol, 2013, 12(3): 285 - 294.

[4]. Doe, J. Catching Zzzs: The Science of Sleep [/OL]. [irunfar.com]. (2025 - 05 - 07). https: //irunfar.com/catching-zzzs-the-science-of-sleep.

[5]. Stallman HM, Kohler M. Prevalence of Sleepwalking: A Systematic Review and Meta - Analysis [J]. PLoS ONE, 2016, 11(11): e0164769.

[6]. Hublin C, Kaprio J, Partinen M, et al. Prevalence and genetics of sleepwalking: A population - based twin study [J]. Neurology, 1997, 48(1): 177 - 181.

[7]. Guilleminault C, Palombini L, Pelayo R, et al. Sleepwalking and Sleep Terrors in Prepubertal Children: What Triggers Them? [J]. Pediatrics, 2003, 111(1): e17 - e25.

[8]. Wang X, et al. The relationship between work - related stress and sleepwalking in adults [J]. Stress and Health, 2018, 34(6): 545 - 552.

[9]. Guilleminault C, Kirisoglu C, da Rosa AC, et al. Sleepwalking, a disorder of NREM sleep instability [J]. Sleep Medicine, 2006, 7(2): 163 - 170.

[10]. Liu Z, et al. Association between sleepwalking and mental disorders in adults: a cross - sectional study [J]. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2019, 252: 10 - 16.

[11]. Arnulf I. Sleepwalking [J]. Current Biology, 2018, 28(22): R1283 - R1295.

Cite this article

Feng,Y. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of Sleepwalking. Theoretical and Natural Science,133,23-28.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of ICBioMed 2025 Symposium: AI for Healthcare: Advanced Medical Data Analytics and Smart Rehabilitation

ISBN: 978-1-80590-303-1(Print) / 978-1-80590-304-8(Online)
Editor: Alan Wang
Conference website: https://2025.icbiomed.org/auckland.html
Conference date: 17 October 2025
Series: Theoretical and Natural Science
Volume number: Vol.133
ISSN: 2753-8818(Print) / 2753-8826(Online)

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