Sleep groaning (catathrenia)
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Sleep groaning (catathrenia). This is expiratory moaning and groaning in sleep. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Clinical features
- This is expiratory moaning and groaning in sleep
- The onset is usually in adolescence: but it may present as young as 4 years
- It usually occurs in the second part of the night
- It often occurs in clusters over about one hour
- It is due to protracted or fragmented expiration
- It follows deep inspiration
- It is associated with a reduced respiratory rate
- The episodes last 2-20 seconds
- It may occur in REM and non-REM sleep
- Most episodes coincide with EEG arousals
- There are no additional motor or breathing disturbances
Associated features
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Treatment
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References
- Derry CP, Duncan JS, Berkovic SF. Paroxysmal motor disorders of sleep: the clinical spectrum and differentiation from epilepsy. Epilepsia 2006; 47:1775-1791.
- Vetrugno R, Provini F, Plazzi G, Vignatelli L, Lugaresi E, Montagna P. Catathrenia (nocturnal groaning): a new type of parasomnia. Neurology 2001; 56:681-683.
- Vetrugno R, Lugaresi E, Plazzi G, Provini F, D'Angelo R, Montagna P. Catathrenia (nocturnal groaning): an abnormal respiratory pattern during sleep. Eur J Neurol 2007; 14:1236-1243.
- Vetrugno R, Lugaresi E, Ferini-Strambi L, Montagna P. Catathrenia (nocturnal groaning): what is it? Sleep 2008; 31:308-309.
- Bar C, Pedespan JM, Ghorayeb I. Catathrenia in a four-year-old boy: a first case report. Sleep Med 2016; 20:131-133.
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