Cited by 1,620Sleep and related disordersMusculoskeletal pain and rehabilitationPain Mechanisms and Treatments

The association of sleep and pain: an update and a path forward

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Finan, Patrick H., Goodin, Burel R., Smith, Michael T.·2013·The Journal of Pain

Abstract

Unlabelled Ample evidence suggests that sleep and pain are related. However, many questions remain about the direction of causality in their association, as well as mechanisms that may account for their association. The prevailing view has generally been that they are reciprocally related. The present review critically examines the recent prospective and experimental literature (2005-present) in an attempt to update the field on emergent themes pertaining to the directionality and mechanisms of the association of sleep and pain. A key trend emerging from population-based longitudinal studies is that sleep impairments reliably predict new incidents and exacerbations of chronic pain. Microlongitudinal studies employing deep subjective and objective assessments of pain and sleep support the notion that sleep impairments are a stronger, more reliable predictor of pain than pain is of sleep impairments. Recent experimental studies suggest that sleep disturbance may impair key processes that contribute to the development and maintenance of chronic pain, including endogenous pain inhibition and joint pain. Several biopsychosocial targets for future mechanistic research on sleep and pain are discussed, including dopamine and opioid systems, positive and negative affect, and sociodemographic factors.Perspective This critical review examines the recent prospective and experimental research (2005-present) on the association of sleep and pain in an attempt to identify trends suggestive of directionality and potential mechanisms. An update on this literature is needed to guide future clinical efforts to develop and augment treatments for chronic sleep disturbance and chronic pain.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jpain.2013.08.007

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  • Elevation of both spontaneous and evoked pain (hyperalgesia) is promoted by the sleep-deprived state.

    “Numerous studies have shown that elevation of both spontaneous and evoked pain -hyperalgesia -is promoted by the sleep-deprived state (Finan et al., 2013;Haack et al., 2009b;Kundermann et al., 2004;Lautenbacher et al., 2006).”

    From Physiological feelings (2019) · cites this paper as Finan et al., 2013

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  1. [93]Raymond I Nielsen TA Lavigne G Manzini C Choiniere M Quality of sleep and its daily relationship to pain intensity in hospitalized adult burn patients Pain 92 381 8 2001 11376911

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Authors
Finan, P. H., Goodin, B. R., & Smith, M. T.
Affiliations
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
  • University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
Corresponding author
Finan, Patrick H.
Venue
The Journal of Pain
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2013-12
Volume
14
Issue
12
Pages
1539-1552
ISSN
1526-5900 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2005396232
Cited by
1,620
References
139
Citations by year
2026: 205 · 2025: 166 · 2024: 163 · 2023: 171 · 2022: 174 · 2021: 200 · 2020: 126 · 2019: 130 · 2018: 79 · 2017: 70 · 2016: 53 · 2015: 63 · 2014: 17 · 2013: 1 · 2012: 1
FWCI
7.40
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Pain (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (5r01ar054871-05, 5r01ar059410-04)
  • National Institute on Aging (L30 AG040467)
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (T32NS070201)
  • National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases (R01-AR-059410, R01-AR-054871, R01 AR05487)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Pain Mechanisms and Treatments
Keywords
sleep, chronic pain, sleep disorders, bidirectional relationship, endogenous pain inhibition, joint pain, dopamine, opioid system, affect, sociodemographic factors, biopsychosocial mechanisms
MeSH terms
Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Pain, Prospective Studies, Sleep, Sleep Wake Disorders, Pain Management

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