Sleep-Related Rhythmic Movement Disorder Quiz

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Benjamin Kummer, MD

Benjamin Kummer, MD (Neurology)

Dr Kummer is Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), with joint appointment in Digital and Technology Partners (DTP) at the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) as Director of Clinical Informatics in Neurology. As a triple-board certified practicing stroke neurologist and informaticist, he has successfully improved clinical operations at the point of care by acting as a central liaison between clinical neurology faculty and DTP teams to implement targeted EHR configuration changes and workflows, as well as providing subject matter expertise on health information technology projects across MSHS. | Dr Kummer also has several years’ experience building and implementing several informatics tools, presenting scientific posters, and generating a body of peer-reviewed work in “clinical neuro-informatics” – i.e., the intersection of clinical neurology, digital health, and informatics – much of which is centered on digital/tele-health, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He has spearheaded the Clinical Neuro-Informatics Center in the Department of Neurology at ISMMS, a new research institute that seeks to establish the field of clinical neuro-informatics and disseminate knowledge to the neurological community on the effects and benefits of clinical informatics tools at the point of care.

Shohei Harase, MD

Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)

Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.

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Learn more about Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder

Content updated on Nov 7, 2023

What is sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder?

Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder (RMD) involves rhythmic, repeated body movements while drowsy or asleep, which most commonly occurs in babies and children but can persist into adulthood. In addition to abnormal movements, the disorder can also manfest with loud humming or other sounds. The exact cause of RMD is unknown. Rare causes include head injury, stress, and brain infection.

Symptoms of sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder

  • Unusual behaviors or actions when sleeping

  • Rocking back-and-forth on all fours when sleeping

  • Knocking head back and forth against the bed when sleeping

  • Shaking head left and right when asleep

  • Teeth grinding while sleeping

  • Suck my thumb when sleeping

  • Legs shake or rock when falling asleep

Questions your doctor may ask to check for sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder

Your doctor may ask these questions to diagnose sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder

  • Do you have unusual behaviors or actions when sleeping?

  • When sleeping, do you sometimes rock back-and-forth on all fours?

  • Do you knock your head back and forth against the bed or pillow when sleeping?

  • Do you shake your head left and right when asleep?

  • Do you grind your teeth while sleeping?

Treatment for sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder

In most cases, the symptoms fade away as the child grows older. Medications such as sedatives may be prescribed to reduce symptoms.

View the symptoms of Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder

  • Unusual behavior or actions when sleeping

Diseases related to Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder

References

  • Gogo E, van Sluijs RM, Cheung T, Gaskell C, Jones L, Alwan NA, Hill CM. Objectively confirmed prevalence of sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder in pre-school children. Sleep Med. 2019 Jan;53:16-21. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2018.08.021. Epub 2018 Sep 25. PMID: 30384137.

    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S138994571830697X?via%3Dihub

  • Hoban TF. Rhythmic movement disorder in children. CNS Spectr. 2003 Feb;8(2):135-8. doi: 10.1017/s1092852900018368. PMID: 12612499.

    https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/cns-spectrums/article/abs/rhythmic-movement-disorder-in-children/825069126984B01F63679F6AE2BD6D84#

  • Lam N, Veeravigrom M. Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder in children: a mini-review. Front Neurol. 2023 May 15;14:1165130. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1165130. PMID: 37255722; PMCID: PMC10225739.

    https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2023.1165130/full

  • DelRosso LM, Cano-Pumarega I, E SSA. Sleep-Related Rhythmic Movement Disorder. Sleep Med Clin. 2021 Jun;16(2):315-321. doi: 10.1016/j.jsmc.2021.02.007. Epub 2021 Apr 15. PMID: 33985656.

    https://www.sleep.theclinics.com/article/S1556-407X(21)00009-6/fulltext

User testimonials

Reviewed By:

Benjamin Kummer, MD

Benjamin Kummer, MD (Neurology)

Dr Kummer is Assistant Professor of Neurology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (ISMMS), with joint appointment in Digital and Technology Partners (DTP) at the Mount Sinai Health System (MSHS) as Director of Clinical Informatics in Neurology. As a triple-board certified practicing stroke neurologist and informaticist, he has successfully improved clinical operations at the point of care by acting as a central liaison between clinical neurology faculty and DTP teams to implement targeted EHR configuration changes and workflows, as well as providing subject matter expertise on health information technology projects across MSHS. | Dr Kummer also has several years’ experience building and implementing several informatics tools, presenting scientific posters, and generating a body of peer-reviewed work in “clinical neuro-informatics” – i.e., the intersection of clinical neurology, digital health, and informatics – much of which is centered on digital/tele-health, artificial intelligence, and machine learning. He has spearheaded the Clinical Neuro-Informatics Center in the Department of Neurology at ISMMS, a new research institute that seeks to establish the field of clinical neuro-informatics and disseminate knowledge to the neurological community on the effects and benefits of clinical informatics tools at the point of care.

Shohei Harase, MD

Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)

Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.

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