Circadian skin temperature rhythms, circadian activity rhythms and sleep in individuals with self-reported depressive symptoms
Abstract
Background Disturbed circadian rhythms have been associated with depression. New body-worn devices allow the objective recording of circadian parameters such as physical activity, skin temperature and sleep. The objective of this study was to investigate whether circadian skin temperature and circadian activity rhythms are altered in depressed individuals.Methods Data on skin temperature, physical activity and sleep were available for 1610 subjects from a population-based cohort study. In a matching process two groups were formed for analysis: 121 participants with pronounced depression symptoms (CES-D Score > 21) and n = 121 matched non-depressed controls (CES-D Score < 15). Circadian rhythms were investigated by analyzing non-parametric rhythm indicators of 24-h skin temperature and physical activity data. Sleep timing, continuity and quantity were calculated from actigraphy.Results No differences between the groups were found when all participants were considered. After excluding antidepressant medicated participants, the depression group was found to have a lower skin temperature amplitude t(208) = 2.45, p = .015 and a less stable skin temperature rhythm t(208) = 2.40, p = .017. The amplitude predicted the group status (beta = -5.529, p = .016). No effects were found for activity or sleep.Conclusion The results indicate that skin-temperature rhythms are blunted in unmedicated depressed individuals. This could be a promising non-invasive marker for further analysis.
Integrity signals
Registry
Cites
Statistics
Claims the paper makes
Claims other papers make about this one
Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?
Insomnia is associated with impaired thermoregulation.
“Insomnia is associated with impaired thermoregulation [30,31]”
From The effects of exercise on sleep in unipolar depression: a systematic review and network meta-analysis (2021) · cites this paper as [31]
The poor predictability of depressive symptomatology in the whole sample highlights a possible limitation of using this set of digital biomarkers alone for depression screening universally due to prominent interindividual differences and heterogeneity in naturalistic settings.
“the poor predictability of depressive symptomatology in the whole sample highlights a possible limitation, in principle, of using this set of digital biomarkers alone for depression screening universally due to prominent interindividual differences and heterogeneity that appear in naturalistic settings [36].”
From Digital Biomarkers for Depression Screening With Wearable Devices: Cross-sectional Study With Machine Learning Modeling (2021) · cites this paper as [36]
Cites
The genetics of mammalian circadian order and disorder: implications for physiology and disease
Takahashi, J. S., Hong, H.-K., Ko, C. H., & McDearmon, E. L. (2008) · Nature Reviews Genetics · doi:10.1038/nrg2430 · Cited by 1,611 · see citing works
Sleep and mental disorders: a meta-analysis of polysomnographic research
Baglioni, C., Nanovska, S., Regen, W., Spiegelhalder, K., Feige, B., Nissen, C., Reynolds, C. F., & Riemann, D. (2016) · Psychological Bulletin · doi:10.1037/bul0000053 · Cited by 1,074 · see citing works
Someren, E. J. W. V., Swaab, D. F., Colenda, C. C., Cohen, W., McCall, W. V., & Rosenquist, P. B. (1999) · Chronobiology International · doi:10.3109/07420529908998724 · Cited by 616 · see citing works
Circadian patterns of gene expression in the human brain and disruption in major depressive disorder
Li, J. Z., Bunney, B. G., Meng, F., Hagenauer, M. H., Walsh, D. M., Vawter, M. P., Evans, S. J., Choudary, P. V., Cartagena, P., Barchas, J. D., et al. (2013) · Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · doi:10.1073/pnas.1305814110 · Cited by 589 · see citing works
Krauchi, K., & Wirz-Justice, A. (1994) · American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · doi:10.1152/ajpregu.1994.267.3.r819 · Cited by 558 · see citing works
Interpersonal and social rhythm therapy: managing the chaos of bipolar disorder
Frank, E., Swartz, H. A., & Kupfer, D. J. (2000) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(00)00969-0 · Cited by 521 · see citing works
Souêtre, E., Salvati, E., Belugou, J.-L., Pringuey, D., Candito, M., Krebs, B., Ardisson, J.-L., & Darcourt, G. (1989) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/0165-1781(89)90207-2 · Cited by 396 · see citing works
Loeffler, M., Engel, C., Ahnert, P., Alfermann, D., Arélin, K., Baber, R., Beutner, F., Binder, H., Brähler, E., Burkhardt, R., et al. (2015) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-015-1983-z · Cited by 351 · see citing works
Self-citationThe Role of Microbiome in Insomnia, Circadian Disturbance and Depression
Li, Y., Hao, Y., Fan, F., & Zhang, B. (2018) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00669 · Cited by 294 · see citing works
Activity monitoring in patients with depression: A systematic review
Burton, C., McKinstry, B., Szentagotai Tătar, A., Serrano-Blanco, A., Pagliari, C., & Wolters, M. (2013) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2012.07.001 · Cited by 249 · see citing works
Saini, C., Morf, J., Stratmann, M., Gos, P., & Schibler, U. (2012) · Genes & Development · doi:10.1101/gad.183251.111 · Cited by 248 · see citing works
Circadian rhythm of wrist temperature in normal-living subjects
Sarabia, J. A., Rol, M. A., Mendiola, P., & Madrid, J. A. (2008) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2008.08.005 · Cited by 222 · see citing works
Cutaneous warming promotes sleep onset
Raymann, R. J. E. M., Swaab, D. F., & Van Someren, E. J. W. (2005) · American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00492.2004 · Cited by 201 · see citing works
‘nparACT’ package for R: A free software tool for the non-parametric analysis of actigraphy data
Blume, C., Santhi, N., & Schabus, M. (2016) · MethodsX · doi:10.1016/j.mex.2016.05.006 · Cited by 196 · see citing works
Rohani, D. A., Faurholt-Jepsen, M., Kessing, L. V., & Bardram, J. E. (2017) · doi:10.2196/preprints.9691 · Cited by 195 · see citing works
Hasler, B. P., Buysse, D. J., Kupfer, D. J., & Germain, A. (2010) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/j.psychres.2010.04.027 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
Dogan, E., Sander, C., Wagner, X., Hegerl, U., & Kohls, E. (2017) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/jmir.7006 · Cited by 177 · see citing works
Self-citationLuik, A. I., Zuurbier, L. A., Direk, N., Hofman, A., Van Someren, E. J. W., & Tiemeier, H. (2015) · Depression and Anxiety · doi:10.1002/da.22355 · Cited by 120 · see citing works
Ambulatory sleep-wake patterns and variability in young people with emerging mental disorders
Robillard, R., Hermens, D. F., Naismith, S. L., White, D., Rogers, N. L., Ip, T. K. C., Mullin, S. J., Alvares, G. A., Guastella, A. J., Smith, K. L., et al. (2015) · Journal of Psychiatry and Neuroscience · doi:10.1503/jpn.130247 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Oldham, C. M., & Ciraulo, D. A. (2014) · Chronobiology International · doi:10.3109/07420528.2013.833935 · Cited by 112 · see citing works
Endogenous and exogenous components in the circadian variation of core body temperature in humans
Hiddinga, A. E., BEERSMA, & van den Hoofdakker, R. H. (1997) · Journal of Sleep Research · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2869.1997.00047.x · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Szuba, M. P., Guzé, B. H., & Baxter, L. R. (1997) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/s0006-3223(97)00046-2 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Chronobiological theories of mood disorder
Zaki, N. F. W., Spence, D. W., BaHammam, A. S., Pandi-Perumal, S. R., Cardinali, D. P., & Brown, G. M. (2017) · European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience · doi:10.1007/s00406-017-0835-5 · Cited by 95 · see citing works
SenseWear-Determined Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior and Metabolic Syndrome
Scheers, T., Philippaerts, R. M., & Lefevre, J. (2013) · Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise · doi:10.1249/mss.0b013e31827563ba · Cited by 88 · see citing works
O’Driscoll, D. M., Turton, A. R., Copland, J. M., Strauss, B. J., & Hamilton, G. S. (2012) · Sleep And Breathing · doi:10.1007/s11325-012-0662-x · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Shin, M., Swan, P., & Chow, C. M. (2015) · Sleep Science · doi:10.1016/j.slsci.2015.02.003 · Cited by 87 · see citing works
Rapid-acting antidepressant strategies: mechanisms of action
Bunney, B. G., & Bunney, W. E. (2012) · The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1017/s1461145711000927 · Cited by 79 · see citing works
24-h activity rhythm and sleep in depressed outpatients
Hori, H., Koga, N., Hidese, S., Nagashima, A., Kim, Y., Higuchi, T., & Kunugi, H. (2016) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2016.02.022 · Cited by 78 · see citing works
Nocturnal sweating and temperature in depression
Aver, D. H., Shah, S. H., Eder, D. N., & Wildschindtz, G. (1999) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1999.tb10864.x · Cited by 73 · see citing works
Assessing Sleep Disturbance in Low Back Pain: The Validity of Portable Instruments
Alsaadi, S. M., McAuley, J. H., Hush, J. M., Bartlett, D. J., McKeough, Z. J., Grunstein, R. R., Dungan, G. C., & Maher, C. G. (2014) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0095824 · Cited by 66 · see citing works
Buckley, T. M., & Schatzberg, A. F. (2009) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2009.06.012 · Cited by 63 · see citing works
Casiraghi, F., Lertwattanarak, R., Luzi, L., Chávez, A. O., Davalli, A. M., Naegelin, T., Comuzzie, A. G., Frost, P. A., Musi, N., & Folli, F. B. (2013) · PLoS ONE · doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0073651 · Cited by 56 · see citing works
Major depressive disorder: A loss of circadian synchrony?
Edgar, N. M., & McClung, C. A. (2013) · BioEssays · doi:10.1002/bies.201300086 · Cited by 52 · see citing works
Goetze, U., & Tölle, R. (2008) · Neuropsychobiology · doi:10.1159/000118414 · Cited by 50 · see citing works
Thermosensitivity of the circadian timing system
VAN SOMEREN, E. J. (2003) · Sleep and Biological Rhythms · doi:10.1046/j.1446-9235.2003.00002.x · Cited by 47 · see citing works
Validation of the SenseWear Pro3 Armband Using an Incremental Exercise Test
Hoye, K. V., Mortelmans, P., & Lefevre, J. (2014) · The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research · doi:10.1519/jsc.0b013e3182a1f836 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Moraes, C. Á., Cambras, T., Dı́ez-Noguera, A., Schimitt, R. L., Dantas, G., Levandovski, R. M., & Hidalgo, M. P. L. (2013) · BMC Psychiatry · doi:10.1186/1471-244x-13-77 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Body core temperature and depression during total sleep deprivation in depressives
Elsenga, S., & van den Hoofdakker, R. H. (1988) · Biological Psychiatry · doi:10.1016/0006-3223(88)90164-3 · Cited by 45 · see citing works
Validation of the SenseWear Armband as a Measure of Sedentary Behavior and Light Activity
Reece, J. D., Barry, V., Fuller, D. K., & Caputo, J. L. (2014) · Journal of Physical Activity and Health · doi:10.1123/jpah.2014-0136 · Cited by 44 · see citing works
Use of Computer and Mobile Technologies in the Treatment of Depression
Callan, J. A., Wright, J. H., Siegle, G. J., Howland, R. H., & Kepler, B. B. (2016) · Archives of Psychiatric Nursing · doi:10.1016/j.apnu.2016.10.002 · Cited by 39 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
1 of the 41 references couldn’t be matched to a known paper.
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Rykov, Y., Thach, T.-Q., Bojic, I., Christopoulos, G., & Car, J. (2021) · JMIR mHealth and uHealth · doi:10.2196/24872 · Cited by 151 · see citing works
Tazawa, Y., Liang, K.-C., Yoshimura, M., Kitazawa, M., Kaise, Y., Takamiya, A., Kishi, A., Horigome, T., Mitsukura, Y., Mimura, M., et al. (2020) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2020.e03274 · Cited by 101 · see citing works
Brupbacher, G., Gerger, H., Zander-Schellenberg, T., Straus, D., Porschke, H., Gerber, M., von Känel, R., & Schmidt-Trucksäss, A. (2021) · Sleep Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2021.101452 · Cited by 64 · see citing works
Yalçın, M., Mundorf, A., Thiel, F., Amatriain‐Fernández, S., Kalthoff, I. S., Beucke, J., Budde, H., Garthus‐Niegel, S., Peterburs, J., & Relógio, A. (2022) · Frontiers in Physiology · doi:10.3389/fphys.2022.873237 · Cited by 46 · see citing works
Digital phenotype of mood disorders: A conceptual and critical review
Maatoug, R., Oudin, A., Adrien, V., Saudreau, B., Bonnot, O., Millet, B., Ferreri, F., Mouchabac, S., & Bourla, A. (2022) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2022.895860 · Cited by 43 · see citing works
Ho, F. Y., Poon, C.-Y., Wong, V. W.-H., Chan, K.-W., Law, K.-W., Yeung, W., & Chung, K. (2024) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2024.05.155 · Cited by 34 · see citing works
Association between Daily Pattern of Physical Activity and Depression: A Systematic Review
Gianfredi, V., Ferrara, P., Pennisi, F., Casu, G., Amerio, A., Odone, A., Nucci, D., & Dinu, M. (2022) · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health · doi:10.3390/ijerph19116505 · Cited by 30 · see citing works
Adolescent circadian patterns link with psychiatric problems: A multimodal approach
Kuula, L., Halonen, R., Lipsanen, J. O., & Pesonen, A. (2022) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2022.03.056 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
Tai, Y., Obayashi, K., Yamagami, Y., & Saeki, K. (2023) · Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine · doi:10.5664/jcsm.10590 · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Comfortable and partial warm environment increases salivary S-IgE concentration in healthy adults
Zhang, X., Hu, S., Ji, Y., Ma, H., & Liu, G. (2021) · Energy and Buildings · doi:10.1016/j.enbuild.2021.111686 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Recent Progress in Biosensors for Depression Monitoring—Advancing Personalized Treatment
Yin, J., Jia, X., Li, H., Zhao, B., Yang, Y. A., & Ren, T. (2024) · Biosensors · doi:10.3390/bios14090422 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
Temperature and creatine kinase changes during a 10d taper period in sprinters
Korman, P., Kusy, K., Kantanista, A., Straburzyńska‐Lupa, A., & Zieliński, J. (2021) · Physiological Measurement · doi:10.1088/1361-6579/ac3d76 · Cited by 13 · see citing works
Nawrin, S. S., Inada, H., Momma, H., & Nagatomi, R. (2024) · BMC Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12889-024-18759-5 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Adam, T., Barateau, L., Tanty, J., & Dauvilliers, Y. A. (2024) · SLEEP · doi:10.1093/sleep/zsae246 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Shin, M., Carpenter, J. S., Park, S. H., Janiszewski, C. M. S., Tonini, E., McKenna, S., Hindmarsh, G., Iorfino, F., Nichles, A., Zmicerevska, N., et al. (2025) · Journal of Biological Rhythms · doi:10.1177/07487304251328501 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Tocchetto, B. F., Ramalho, L., Zortéa, M., Bruck, S. M., Tomedi, R. B., Alves, R. L., Torres, I. L. D. S., Fregni, F., & Caumo, W. (2023) · Biological Psychology · doi:10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108494 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Jiang, B., Li, N., Xue, X., Wang, L., Hong, L., Wu, C., Zhang, J., Chao, X., Liu, Y., Liu, W., et al. (2024) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2024.04.040 · Cited by 8 · see citing works
When Gut Hormones Influence Brain Function in Depression
Siba, I. P., Martynhak, B. J., & Pereira, M. (2023) · Applied Biosciences · doi:10.3390/applbiosci2010005 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
State-dependent skin temperature increase during manic episodes of bipolar disorder
Valenzuela‐Pascual, C., Lamberti, R. G., Mas, A., Borràs, R., Anmella, G., Corponi, F., Oliva, V., Prisco, M. D., Korniyenko, M., Garriga, M., et al. (2025) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2025.119643 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Min, W., Sun, X., Tang, N., Zhang, Y., Luo, F., Zhu, M., Xia, W., & Zhou, B. (2023) · Scientific Reports · doi:10.1038/s41598-023-28278-9 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Skin temperature as a marker of human health in the Northwest Indian scenario
Phadkule, S. S., Haick, H., & Sarma, S. (2025) · Sensors and Actuators A Physical · doi:10.1016/j.sna.2025.116640 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Kuang, W., Zhang, Y., Cheng, Y., Wu, K., Fan, C., & Zou, Y. (2025) · IEEE International Conference on Bioinformatics and Biomedicine (BIBM) · doi:10.1109/bibm66473.2025.11356596 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Hou, S., Chiu, C., Shea, J. L., Wang, C., Tang, H.-H., Kuo, P.-C., Yang, Y., & Hsu, H.-P. (2023) · Menopause The Journal of The North American Menopause Society · doi:10.1097/gme.0000000000002297 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Kang, S. J., Guo, W., Zipunnikov, V. M., Glaus, J., Lamers, F., Strippoli, M. F., Marques-Vidal, P. M., Vaucher, J., Harpe, R. D. L., Vollenweider, P., et al. (2025) · Journal of Affective Disorders · doi:10.1016/j.jad.2025.02.065 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Wearable Technology for Depression Assessment: A Scoping Review of Datasets
Tlachac, M., Elsbree, H. K., & Heinz, M. V. (2026) · IEEE Transactions on Affective Computing · doi:10.1109/taffc.2026.3704930
Digital Phenotype of Mood Disorders: a conceptual and critical review (Preprint)Preprint
Maatoug, R., Oudin, A., Adrien, V., Saudreau, B., Bonnot, O., Millet, B., Ferreri, F., Mouchabac, S., & Bourla, A. (2021) · doi:10.2196/preprints.36054
Latunde, Y. C. (2022) · Advances in educational marketing, administration, and leadership book series · doi:10.4018/978-1-7998-8206-0.ch004
Nawrin, S. S., Inada, H., Momma, H., & Nagatomi, R. (2023) · medRxiv · doi:10.1101/2023.08.09.23293905
Dunn, A., & Pearson, C. (2025) · Advances in Mental Health · doi:10.1080/18387357.2025.2469505
Lee, H., Kang, S., & Lee, S. H. (2025) · SSRN Electronic Journal · doi:10.2139/ssrn.5216287
Nawrin, S. S., Inada, H., Momma, H., & Nagatomi, R. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26717199
Nawrin, S. S., Inada, H., Momma, H., & Nagatomi, R. (2024) · Figshare · doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.26717202
Lee, H., Kang, S., & Lee, S. H. (2026) · Journal of Medical Internet Research · doi:10.2196/76432
Liang, J., Lu, C., Chen, L., Fan, Y., Huang, F., Wei, W., Kang, H., Huang, S., Lu, H., Pan, M., et al. (2026) · Molecular Neurobiology · doi:10.1007/s12035-026-05755-6
Ozaki, K., Nishiide, S., Shikanai, H., Shindo, T., Mabuchi, R., Shinozuka, S., & Izumi, T. (2026) · Journal of Pharmacological Sciences · doi:10.1016/j.jphs.2026.04.003
Jouvencel, A., Willoughby, A. R., Leong, R. L. F., & Chee, M. W. L. (2026) · Sleep Medicine · doi:10.1016/j.sleep.2026.109074
Soltani, S., Hartogensis, W., Dilchert, S., Flores, K., Lowry, C. A., Raison, C. L., Hecht, F. M., Smarr, B. L., & Mason, A. E. (2026) · Frontiers in Psychiatry · doi:10.3389/fpsyt.2026.1846398
Saillart, E., Jacobs, K., Claes, S. J., & Vergaelen, E. (2026) · Brain Behavior & Immunity - Health · doi:10.1016/j.bbih.2026.101334
- Authors
- Lorenz, N., Spada, J., Sander, C., Riedel-Heller, S. G., & Hegerl, U.
- Affiliations
- Stiftung Deutsche Depressionshilfe (DE)
- Leipzig University (DE)
- Goethe University Frankfurt (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Lorenz, Noah
- Venue
- Journal of Psychiatric Research
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2019-10
- Volume
- 117
- Pages
- 38-44
- ISSN
- 0022-3956 (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2955193436
- Cited by
- 38
- References
- 41
- Citations by year
- 2026: 7 · 2025: 7 · 2024: 7 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 1
- FWCI
- 1.52
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Psychiatric Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Funders
- LIFE – Leipzig Research Centre for Civilization Diseases
- Medical Faculty of the University of Leipzig. LIFE
- European Union, by the European Regional Development Fund
- Free State of Saxony within the framework of the excellence initiative (713-241202, 713-241202,, 14505/2470, 14575/2470)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Mental Health Research Topics
- Keywords
- circadian rhythm, skin temperature, depression, depressive symptoms, physical activity, sleep, actigraphy, rhythm amplitude, untreated depression, non-invasive biomarkers
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Aged, Circadian Rhythm, Depression, Depressive Disorder, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Skin Temperature, Sleep, Cohort Studies, Exercise, Actigraphy, Self Report
About these checks
Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.
Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.
Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.
What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›
Are you an author, or do you see a problem with this page? Request a review
