A Comprehensive Review of Sleepwalking

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.