Abstract

Given the close link between body temperature and sleep, the perspective of manipulating core and peripheral temperature by self-regulation techniques is very appealing. We report here on a series of attempts conducted independently in two laboratories to use self-regulation (biofeedback) of oral (central) and hand (peripheral) temperature, and measured the impact on sleep-onset latency, sleep architecture, and circadian phase. We found that hand temperature was more successful than oral temperature biofeedback. Moreover, an increase in hand temperature was associated with reduced sleep-onset latency. However, most participants found the procedure difficult to implement. The temperature response to biofeedback was reduced in the aged and weakest at the time of sleep onset, and there was not a systematic relationship between the change in temperature and change in sleep latency. Methodological limitations and individual differences may account for these results. Recommendations for future research are presented.

Details

Title
Temperature biofeedback and sleep: limited findings and methodological challenges
Author
Forest, Geneviève; van den Heuvel, Cameron; Lushington, Kurt; De Koninck, Joseph
Pages
59-66
Section
Original Research
Publication year
2012
Publication date
2012
Publisher
Taylor & Francis Ltd.
e-ISSN
2230-2026
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
ProQuest document ID
2222029961
Copyright
© 2012. This work is licensed under https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ (the “License”). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.