Diagnosing Unusual Night-Time Behaviours from the Comfort of Home
Parasomnias are a group of disruptive sleep disorders involving abnormal movements, behaviours, emotions, or experiences that occur during sleep, while falling asleep, or upon waking. These can include sleepwalking, night terrors, sleep talking, confusional arousals, and REM sleep behaviour disorder (RBD).
At IP Diagnostics, we provide expert assessment and in-home sleep testing for parasomnias. Our comprehensive diagnostics are designed to identify the nature and cause of your sleep disturbance and to guide you or your patient toward the most appropriate treatment pathway.
Common Types of Parasomnias
Parasomnias are broadly divided into two categories:
Non-REM Parasomnias
- Sleepwalking (Somnambulism)
- Night terrors (Pavor Nocturnus)
- Confusional arousals
These typically occur in the first half of the night and are more common in children, though they can persist into adulthood.
REM Sleep Parasomnias
- REM Sleep Behaviour Disorder (RBD)
In RBD, individuals physically act out vivid, often intense dreams—sometimes violently—which can result in injury to themselves or a bed partner.
When Should You Seek Testing?
A sleep study may be appropriate if you or someone you know is experiencing:
- Frequent or distressing episodes of sleepwalking or night terrors
- Confused or violent behaviours during sleep
- Vivid dreams with dream enactment behaviours (e.g. punching, kicking, shouting)
- Sleep-related behaviours that could pose safety risks
- Possible seizures or overlapping neurological symptoms during sleep
How We Investigate Parasomnias at IP Diagnostics
We offer home-based video polysomnography (vPSG) to record brain activity, breathing, body movements, and sleep stages. This is the gold standard test for parasomnias and allows us to:
- Confirm whether episodes are linked to REM or non-REM sleep
- Differentiate parasomnias from nocturnal seizures or other disorders
- Identify coexisting sleep conditions (e.g. sleep apnoea) that may be contributing
- Guide the referring physician on further management or treatment options
Our home-based setup includes discreet infrared video monitoring and EEG sensors, so we can capture both the physiological data and physical behaviours associated with episodes—all in the comfort of your own home.
What Happens After the Test?
Your results will be reviewed by a UK-based consultant sleep physician or neurologist with expertise in parasomnias and related sleep disorders. You’ll receive a clear report outlining:
- The nature and frequency of abnormal behaviours
- Sleep quality and architecture
- Any signs of neurological activity (e.g. seizures)
- Recommendations for further treatment or referral
We work closely with neurologists, psychiatrists, and sleep psychologists to support onward care if needed.
Why Choose IP Diagnostics?
- ✔️ Specialist in parasomnia diagnostics and home-based video sleep studies
- ✔️ Discreet, non-intrusive in-home setup to capture natural sleep behaviour
- ✔️ Consultant-reported results with rapid turnaround
- ✔️ Support for both adult and paediatric patients
- ✔️ Trusted by NHS and private clinicians across the UK
Concerned about unusual sleep behaviours?
Get in touch with IP Diagnostics to learn how our in-home testing can help uncover the cause and guide effective treatment.