{"id":37929,"date":"2026-11-12T13:48:04","date_gmt":"2026-11-12T18:48:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/?p=37929"},"modified":"2026-11-12T13:57:52","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T18:57:52","slug":"sleep-rhythmic-movement-disorder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/sleep-rhythmic-movement-disorder\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Sleep Rhythmic Movement Disorder?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you\u2019ve ever peeked in on your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/baby-sleep-regression\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"26866\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">baby<\/a> in their crib and spotted them rocking back and forth, you might have felt\u2014rightfully\u2014concerned. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Or maybe your bed partner has been periodically rolling their head from side to side at night, and you\u2019re wondering, <em>What\u2019s up with that?<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The good news is, these movements aren\u2019t a sign that something is wrong, and in children, they\u2019re a normal part of development. They also have a name: sleep rhythmic movement disorder (RMD).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, if your child is hurting themselves with their movements, or your bed partner has been threatening to kick you into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/guest-room-ideas-for-a-great-nights-sleep\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"26304\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">guest room<\/a> because apparently you swing your head violently and keep them awake, it might be a good idea to talk with a healthcare provider.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ahead, we dive into everything you need to know about RMD, including the signs, who can have it, and how to keep you or your child safe while sleeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>What is sleep rhythmic movement disorder (RMD)?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">RMD involves repetitive, rhythmic movements of the large muscles of the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While it most commonly happens right as you fall asleep, or during light sleep, RMD can happen in <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">a<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ll sleep stag<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">es<\/a>, including rapid eye movement (REM) sleep\u2014the stage of sleep where dreaming occurs. This means RMD can really happen at any point while sleeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The movements from RMD look different from other forms of movement like tremors, seizures, or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/hypnic-jerks\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"26773\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">jerking<\/a>. RMD movements themselves aren\u2019t always a problem unless they cause injury or interfere with getting good sleep.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Common types of rhythmic movements<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The rhythmic movements of RMD show up mainly in your head, neck, and trunk. These movements can look like:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Body rocking<\/strong>: Rocking the whole body back and forth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Body rolling<\/strong>: Rolling the entire body from side to side<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Head banging<\/strong>: Repeatedly knocking the head on a pillow, wall, crib slats, or mattress\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Head rolling<\/strong>: Rolling your head repeatedly from side to side<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Head rolling is the <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/37414586\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">most common<\/a> symptom of RMD, and some people will do more than one type of movement. Some children also might make rhythmic noises like humming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>RMD in infants and children vs. adults<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">RMD happens <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">mostly<\/a> in infants and children. Research shows that about two in every three 9-month-olds have RMD. At 18 months, only about one in three children shows these rhythmic movements around sleep. By age 5, those numbers drop to less than one in 10.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In older children, teens, and adults, RMD is much rarer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So much that there have been no studies done on how common RMD is in adults. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While healthcare providers don\u2019t tend to treat RMD in children, adults might require an evaluation since the condition can occur with other health conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>What causes RMD?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Researchers aren\u2019t sure of the exact cause of RMD. In infants and toddlers, these repetitive movements may act as a <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">self-soothing behavior<\/a> that helps children settle to sleep. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Babies often rock or shake their heads while falling asleep or while sleeping. This is normal behavior and shows up around the same time they\u2019re learning new skills like sitting, crawling, or standing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Interestingly, almost 60 years before researchers recognized RMD as a sleep condition, it was <a href=\"https:\/\/movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/mds.22232\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">portrayed<\/a> in the animated film <em>Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs<\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the dwarfs, Dopey, lies down to sleep and has rhythmic movements of his head as well as soft vocalizations. When he\u2019s touched, Dopey opens his eyes. The movements stop, and he sighs and goes back to sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When RMD continues past early childhood, it\u2019s sometimes seen alongside <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">other conditions<\/a> such as autism, Down syndrome, and attention-deficit\/hyperactivity disorder (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/adhd-and-sleep\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"27686\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">ADHD<\/a>). People who have RMD can also have other <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/37414586\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sleep disorders<\/a>, including <a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/tips-for-treating-insomnia\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"26158\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">insomnia<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/restless-legs-syndrome-and-sleep\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"26278\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">restless legs syndrome<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/sleep-apnea-guide\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"25611\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">sleep apnea<\/a>, and night terrors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">RMD may be genetic because the disorder has appeared in families. Studies have found the condition in twins and triplets, but <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">more research<\/a> is needed to understand the genetic link.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>How is RMD diagnosed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In many children, RMD can be diagnosed based on a detailed description from the parents. It\u2019s helpful to bring in a <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">home video<\/a> of the movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But just because your child might have rhythmic movements, it doesn\u2019t necessarily mean they will be diagnosed with RMD. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders (third edition), you need to meet the following <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">criteria<\/a> to receive an RMD diagnosis:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Repetitive, rhythmic movements in the large muscles<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Movements mainly happen during sleep times<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Movements interfere with sleep quality or cause injury<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Movements can\u2019t be explained by another health condition such as a seizure disorder<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When RMD affects adults, healthcare providers might order an overnight sleep study, known as a polysomnography, combined with video monitoring. This is to help detect an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S138994572300463X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">accompanying sleep disorder<\/a> such as obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) or periodic limb movement disorder (PLMD).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">health conditions<\/a> can mimic some movements seen in RMD. This can include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Seizures<\/strong>: Some seizures that happen during sleep show brief movements, but during an electroencephalogram (EEG), there are no changes in brain waves with RMD.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Restless legs syndrome (RLS)<\/strong>: RLS causes an uncomfortable urge to move the legs,\u00a0 and often happens in the evening while a person is awake. But people with RMD are often asleep or drowsy and don\u2019t have a trigger that causes movements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sleep tremors<\/strong>: Some sleep-related movements cause small, quick, involuntary tremors, while RMD movements are larger, slower, and involve the large muscle groups.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Treating RMD<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most children and adults with RMD <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">don\u2019t need<\/a> any treatment at all. Managing the condition revolves around keeping you or your child safe while sleeping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some safety adjustments you can make to your or your child\u2019s sleeping space <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">i<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nclud<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">e<\/a>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Padding bed rails<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Moving the mattress to the floor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Moving the bed away from the wall<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Placing padding (such as pillows and blankets) on the floor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Removing sharp headboard edges<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since RMD can occur with other sleep disorders such as OSA or PLMD, <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">treating those conditions<\/a>, such as by using a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) machine, can help decrease RMD symptoms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For adults, healthcare providers might prescribe medications such as <a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/sleep\/article-abstract\/20\/9\/812\/2731702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">cl<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/sleep\/article-abstract\/20\/9\/812\/2731702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">onazepam<\/a>, which can reduce symptoms like head banging to protect from injury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>Is rhythmic movement during sleep normal in babies and toddlers?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, rhythmic movements like head rolling and body rocking are common in infants, with research showing that more than half of 9-month-olds do them. Most children outgrow them, and the behavior is generally considered harmless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>When does sleep rhythmic movement disorder require medical evaluation?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See a healthcare provider if the movements cause injury, disrupt sleep, or cause you to be tired during the day. If these movements start in later childhood or adulthood, it\u2019s also a good idea to be evaluated and to rule out other sleep conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a><\/a>How is sleep rhythmic movement disorder different from seizures?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">RMD movements are rhythmic and slower than the movements that happen with seizures. RMD tends to happen right before someone falls asleep, whereas abnormal electrical activity causes seizures in the brain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>References<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Lam, N., &amp; Veeravigrom, M. (2023). Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder in children: A mini-review. Frontiers in Neurology, 14, 1165130. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/fneur.2023.1165130. <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC10225739\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Michalek-Zrabkowska, M., Wieckiewicz, M., Wichniak, A., Jenca, A., Jr, Jencova, J., Frosztega, W., Wieczorek, T., Chojdak-Lukasiewicz, J., Sluzewska-Niedzwiedz, M., Wojakowska, A., Poreba, R., Mazur, G., &amp; Martynowicz, H. (2024). Sleep-related rhythmic movement disorder in adults &#8211; A systematic review with a case report. Journal of sleep research, 33(1), e13985. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/jsr.13985. <a href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/37414586\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/37414586\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Jankovi\u0107, S. M., Soki\u0107, D. V., Vojvodi\u0107, N. M., Risti\u0107, A. J., &amp; Kosti\u0107, V. S. (2009). The first cinematic presentation of a possible rhythmic movement disorder in a Disney film precedes its scientific debut by 60 years. Movement Disorders, 24(1), 143-144. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1002\/mds.22232. <a href=\"https:\/\/movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/mds.22232\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/movementdisorders.onlinelibrary.wiley.com\/doi\/10.1002\/mds.22232<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Al Sa&#8217;idi, L., Gupta, A., &amp; Shukla, G. (2024). Sleep Related Rhythmic Movement Disorder in older children and adults and their association with comorbid conditions \u2013 experience from two centres and literature review. Sleep Medicine, 113, 299-305. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1016\/j.sleep.2023.11.037. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S138994572300463X\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/abs\/pii\/S138994572300463X<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Manni, R., &amp; Tartara, A. (1997). Clonazepam Treatment of Rhythmic Movement Disorders. Sleep, 20(9), 812. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/sleep\/20.9.812. <a href=\"https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/sleep\/article-abstract\/20\/9\/812\/2731702\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/sleep\/article-abstract\/20\/9\/812\/2731702<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If you\u2019ve ever peeked in on your baby in their crib and spotted them rocking back and forth, you might have felt\u2014rightfully\u2014concerned. Or maybe your bed partner has been periodically rolling their head from side to side at night, and you\u2019re wondering, What\u2019s up with that? The good news is, these movements aren\u2019t a sign [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67,"featured_media":37930,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[398,389],"tags":[],"coauthors":[420],"guest":[],"host":[],"class_list":["post-37929","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sleep-disorders-conditions","category-sleep-health"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37929","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/67"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37929"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37929\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37936,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37929\/revisions\/37936"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37930"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37929"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37929"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37929"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=37929"},{"taxonomy":"guest","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/guest?post=37929"},{"taxonomy":"host","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.saatva.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/host?post=37929"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}