Chronic sleep deficiency and its impact on pain perception in healthy females

Abstract

Acute sleep deprivation in experimental studies has been shown to induce pain hypersensitivity in females. However, the impact of natural sleep deficiency and fluctuations across the week on pain perception remains unclear. A sleep-monitoring headband and self-reports were utilized to assess objective and subjective sleep in longer (> 6 hr) and short sleepers ( 0.05). Furthermore, pain modulatory responses differed between Mondays and Fridays. Chronic sleep deficiency ( 6 hr) throughout the week may protect against pain sensitization and the development of chronic pain in females. Further research is needed, especially in patients with chronic pain.