Prevalence of sleep-talking in childhood
Reimao R
Published in Brain & Development
Methodology
Cross-sectional population survey of 2,022 schoolchildren aged 3-10 years using a multiple-choice sleep characteristics questionnaire, with statistical analysis of somniloquy prevalence by age, sex and socioeconomic class.
Key Findings
A population survey of 2,022 schoolchildren aged 3 to 10 assessed sleep-talking using a multiple-choice sleep characteristics questionnaire. About half the children at every age reported talking in their sleep at least once a year, but fewer than 10% did so every day. No clear correlation was found with age, sex or socioeconomic class. These results contradict the widely held view that sleep-talking peaks early in the first decade of life.
Conclusions
About half the children of all ages presented somniloquy at least once a year, but less than 10% presented it everyday.
Limitations
Prevalence rests entirely on a parent-completed questionnaire from 1980 with no objective sleep recording, and the authors themselves call for quantitative and objective assessment; the survey describes how common sleep-talking is and tests no treatment.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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