By Most people would agree that getting a good night’s sleep, are likely better taking on challenges that come their way. Researchers set out to see if sleep quality had an impact on acute pain response in the chronic pain population. What many of us have long suspected: that getting good-quality sleep can make a world of difference in your life.
In the November 2019 issue of the journal Sleep Medicine, researchers reported their findings from looking at bidirectional lines between sleep quality and pain (1). It was pointed out that there have only been limited studies looking at the relationship between sleep quality and acute pain among those with chronic pain. The study investigated the relationship between sleep quality and behavioural and physiological responses to a cold pressor pain task and was conducted on those with chronic pain.
What the researchers’ study is all about?
The study included 120 people who have chronic pain. They were given a series of questionnaires to complete, which were then followed by the cold pressor pain task. The task evaluated their stress response both before and during the activity. To assess the participants’ stress response, the researchers looked at the person’s heart rate, electromyography frontalis, galvanic skin response conductance, and skin temperature.
There was a significant variance in pain tolerance is what they have founded. Those who had worse perceived sleep quality tended to have a lower pain tolerance as well. The researchers also took opioid usage into account and adjusted for it within their findings. In other words, those who had better-quality sleep had a higher pain tolerance, too, after adjusting for opioid usage.
This study further makes the case for the importance of quality sleep. While getting quality sleep may seem like a challenge for those who have chronic pain, it is worth the effort to strive for it. You can try to improve your sleep quality by:
- creating a relaxing atmosphere
- doing meditation that focuses on your breath
- creating and sticking to a nightly bedtime routine
Creating a nightly bedtime routine that you stick to can help your body ease into and prepare for sleep. This can include adjusting the temperature, avoiding using electronics at least an hour before bedtime, reading to relax, and going to bed at the same time each night. Getting quality sleep helps with chronic pain management, as well as usually improving quality of life.
Sources:
Sleep Medicine. I’m tired and it hurts! Sleep quality and acute pain response in chronic pain population. November 2019. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31884308
