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Author Spotlight: Methodologies and Advancements of Chronic Pain Management Research
Published on: January 5, 2024
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Does bedtime matter among patients with chronic pain? A longitudinal comparison study
R Kathryn McHugh1, Robert R Edwards2, Edgar L Ross2
1Division of Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, McLean Hospital, Belmont, MA, USA.
Pain Reports
|October 5, 2019
Summary
Patients with chronic pain who have irregular bedtimes experience worse sleep, higher pain, and greater disability. Maintaining a consistent bedtime is crucial for managing chronic pain and improving overall well-being.
Area of Science:
- Pain Management
- Sleep Science
- Behavioral Medicine
Background:
- Chronic pain patients often experience sleep disturbances.
- Many patients with chronic pain exhibit irregular sleep-wake cycles, sleeping during the day and staying up at night.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare sleep patterns and pain experiences between chronic pain patients with typical (9 pm-midnight) and atypical bedtimes.
- To investigate the relationship between bedtime regularity and pain severity, activity interference, and medication use.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 279 chronic pain patients was divided into typical (N=205) and atypical (N=74) bedtime groups.
- Data were collected using pre-post questionnaires and a smartphone pain application for average pain assessments.
Main Results:
- Atypical bedtime groups reported more frequent awakenings, reduced sleep duration, and higher pain scores.
- Individuals with atypical bedtimes showed increased activity interference, negative mood, and higher prescription opioid use.
- Longitudinal data revealed consistently worse outcomes in the atypical group, including elevated pain catastrophizing and disability.
Conclusions:
- Provider inquiry into patient bedtime habits can offer insights into lifestyle factors affecting chronic pain.
- Establishing and maintaining a regular bedtime may be a vital component in managing chronic pain.
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