What is REM behavior disorder? It is a complex array of parasomnia disorders which affect more than 80 million people worldwide at some point of their life. Basically put, it can result in the physical acting out of dreams due to a reduced atonia – or natural skeletal muscle paralysis during sleep.
A recent article published by the AASM, American Academy of Sleep Medicine discusses a new guideline which provides recommendations for people with REM behavior disorders – who act out their dreams while asleep. The article updates its 2010 predecessor, reinforced by several clinical trials from recent years which provide new evidence for published literature and additional support for standing recommendations.
“This clinical practice guideline provides clinicians with insight on how best to prevent sleep-related injury and how to provide patients with a risk assessment for neurological disease. The task force assembled by the AASM diligently reviewed thousands of clinical studies to provide an up-to-date guideline for clinicians managing REM sleep behavior disorder.” Dr. Michael Howell.
The guideline discusses a safe sleep environment for patients and their sleeping partners. The AASM emphasises the importance for awareness in order to treat REM disorders as symptoms are usually ignored by patients for years before seeking help.
Read the article here; https://aasm.org/new-guideline-provides-treatment-recommendations-for-people-who-act-out-their-dreams-while-asleep/
Read more AAMS guidelines here; https://aasm.org/clinical-resources/practice-standards/practice-guidelines/
