Certified Polysomnographic Technician (CPSGT) Practice Exam 2026 - Free CPSGT Practice Questions and Study Guide

Sleepwalking and night terrors are phenomena that primarily occur during childhood, particularly between the ages of 3 to 12 years. During this developmental period, children experience different stages of sleep, and their nervous systems are still maturing. Night terrors, a type of parasomnia, often involve sudden episodes of awakening with a strong sense of fear, confusion, and sometimes physical agitation, typically occurring in the non-REM sleep stages.

Similarly, sleepwalking, or somnambulism, involves walking or performing other complex behaviors while in a state of sleep. This behavior is more prevalent in children because their sleep architecture includes a higher proportion of deep sleep compared to adults. As children grow older, the frequency of these events generally decreases, and they are much less common in teenagers and adults.

In summary, the age range of 3 to 12 years is significant because it is during these formative years that the incidence of sleepwalking and night terrors peaks, making this option the most accurate choice for observing these sleep disturbances.