Exploding Head Syndrome: A Systematic Scoping Review

Sleep Med Clin. 2024 Mar;19(1):121-142. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2023.10.007. Epub 2023 Dec 2.

Abstract

Exploding head syndrome (EHS) has historically been viewed as a disorder predominantly affecting older people and being more common in females. Through a comprehensive review of data since 2005, this scoping review provides updated evidence from 4082 participants reporting EHS across a variety of study designs on: how EHS presents; key information on comorbidity and correlates of EHS; how EHS is experienced in terms of symptoms and beliefs; causal theories arising from the research reviewed; and evidence-based information on how research has reported on the management of EHS. Since 2005, EHS has attracted increasing research interest; however, there are significant gaps in the research that are hindering a better understanding of EHS that might be helpful for clinicians.

Keywords: Exploding head syndrome; Parasomnias; Scoping review; Sleep disorders.

Publication types

  • Systematic Review
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Parasomnias* / diagnosis