The use of focused-attention meditation combined with muscle relaxation (MR Therapy) in the treatment of recurrent isolated sleep paralysis (RISP)- two case reports
			
	
 
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				1
				1st Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Early Intervention, Medical University of Lublin, Głuska 1, Lublin
				 
			 
						
				2
				Department of Cancer Genetics with Cytogenetics Laboratory, Medical University of Lublin, 11 Radziwiłłowska Street, 20-080 Lublin
				 
			 
										
				
				
		
		 
			
			
			
			 
			Submission date: 2024-06-07
			 
		 		
		
		
		
			
			 
			Acceptance date: 2024-08-22
			 
		 		
		
			
			 
			Online publication date: 2024-11-27
			 
		 		
		
			
			 
			Publication date: 2025-10-25
			 
		 			
		 
	
							
					    		
    			 
    			
    				    					Corresponding author
    					    				    				
    					Paulina  Wróbel-Knybel   
    					1st Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Early Intervention, Medical University of Lublin, Głuska 1, Lublin
    				
 
    			
				 
    			 
    		 		
			
																	 
		
	 
		
 
 
Arch Psych Psych 2025;27(3):97-109
		
 
 
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ABSTRACT
Recurrent isolated sleep paralysis (RISP) belongs to the parasomnias of the REM sleep. Currently, there are few treatment options for this disorder. Pharmacotherapy is reserved only for the most severe cases of RISP. The first-line treatment is cognitive-behavioural therapy, the availability of which is limited. A new treatment option is meditation-relaxation therapy (MR therapy), the effectiveness of which is supported by preliminary studies. 
Method: This article describes two case reports of the use of a new treatment technique for RISP, MR therapy, over an 8-week period.
Results: In patient 1, there was a significant improvement in the form of a reduction in the number and severity of episodes of sleep paralysis, as well as worry and stress related to RISP. In patient 2, who was simultaneously diagnosed with an emotionally unstable personality and an eating disorder, there was no improvement in RISP, though a significant decrease in the severity of depressive symptoms, post-traumatic stress disorder, and normalisation of cortisol levels were observed. 
Conclusions: MR therapy appears to be a promising form of treatment. Both patients benefited from its use, although the effect may be limited if other psychiatric disorders coexist.