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Thermoregulation in Sleep Disorders-Comprehensive Review.
Karol Pierzchała1, Weronika Bielska1, Zuzanna Boczar1
1Department of Sleep Medicine and Metabolic Disorders, Medical University of Łódź, 6/8 Mazowiecka Street, 92-215 Łódź, Poland.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|May 4, 2026
Summary
Thermoregulation impacts sleep by affecting core body temperature, temperature gradients, and melatonin. Disruptions contribute to sleep disorders, but temperature-based interventions may improve sleep quality.
Area of Science:
- Sleep science
- Thermoregulation
- Chronobiology
Background:
- Sleep is regulated by core body temperature (CBT) modulation, distal-proximal temperature gradient (DPG), and melatonin.
- These thermoregulatory processes are crucial for maintaining healthy sleep physiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the intersection of thermoregulation and sleep physiology.
- To examine the role of thermoregulatory disruptions in sleep disorders.
- To explore temperature-based interventions for sleep disorder management.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of thermoregulation and sleep.
- Analysis of the pathophysiology of common sleep disorders (ADHD, insomnia, narcolepsy, OSA, depression, RLS).
- Evaluation of temperature-based interventions (foot baths, passive body heating, hyperthermia, room temperature adjustments).
Main Results:
- Delayed or disrupted CBT minima, impaired DPG, and altered melatonin secretion prolong sleep latency and fragment rest.
- These thermoregulatory issues contribute to daytime symptoms in various sleep disorders.
- Temperature-based interventions show potential for symptom mitigation and sleep enhancement.
Conclusions:
- Thermoregulatory disruptions are implicated in the pathophysiology of common sleep disorders.
- Personalized, noninvasive temperature-based interventions offer a promising approach for managing sleep disorders.
- Addressing thermoregulatory dysfunction is key to improving sleep quality and overall health.
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