Related Experiment Videos
Peripheral thermal responsivity to facial cooling during sleep
J R Jennings1, C F Reynolds, D S Bryant
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, PA.
Psychophysiology
|July 1, 1993
Summary
This study shows that the body
Area of Science:
- Sleep Science
- Thermoregulation
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Assessing thermal sensitivity during sleep is challenging.
- Existing methods may alter core body temperature or disrupt sleep.
- A novel technique allows probing thermal responsivity without these drawbacks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a new technique for measuring thermal sensitivity during sleep.
- To determine if sleep state affects skin and core temperature responses to thermal stimuli.
- To investigate differences in thermal responsivity between REM and NREM sleep.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-seven participants underwent thermal stimulation (cold facial water and rewarming) during a sleep deprivation night and a subsequent sleep night.
- Finger skin temperature and rectal temperature were continuously monitored.
- Sleep continuity and architecture were assessed.
Main Results:
- Thermal stimulation did not significantly impact sleep continuity or architecture.
- Finger skin temperature decreased during cold stimulation, with changes being smaller during sleep than during wakefulness.
- Core body temperature showed minimal changes; REM sleep exhibited a greater decrease in finger temperature amplitude compared to NREM sleep.
Conclusions:
- The developed technique is effective for probing thermal responsivity during sleep.
- Thermal responsivity is reduced during sleep compared to wakefulness.
- Thermal responsivity may differ between REM and NREM sleep stages.