Sleepwalking, a term derived from the Latin “somnus” (sleep) and “ambulare” (to walk), is a phenomenon that originates during sleep and is characterized by complex motor behaviors that lead to walking in an altered state of consciousness with compromised judgment.
It is part of NREM sleep parasomnias, which include other disorders of arousal such as confusional arousals, night terrors and sexomnia. Despite differences in motor activities, emotions and autonomic reactions, these conditions appear to be different expressions of the same underlying phenomenon.
Sleepwalking typically emerges in childhood, with a prevalence ranging from 3% to 14% and generally decreasing after adolescence (1%-5%), although it can persist in about 25% of cases or, more rarely, manifest in adulthood.