Cutaneous warming promotes sleep onset
Abstract
Sleep occurs in close relation to changes in body temperature. Both the monophasic sleep period in humans and the polyphasic sleep periods in rodents tend to be initiated when core body temperature is declining. This decline is mainly due to an increase in skin blood flow and consequently skin warming and heat loss. We have proposed that these intrinsically occurring changes in core and skin temperatures could modulate neuronal activity in sleep-regulating brain areas (Van Someren EJW, Chronobiol Int 17: 313–54, 2000). We here provide results compatible with this hypothesis. We obtained 144 sleep-onset latencies while directly manipulating core and skin temperatures within the comfortable range in eight healthy subjects under controlled conditions. The induction of a proximal skin temperature difference of only 0.78 ± 0.03°C (mean ± SE) around a mean of 35.13 ± 0.11°C changed sleep-onset latency by 26%, i.e., by 3.09 minutes [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.91 to 4.28] around a mean of 11.85 min (CI, 9.74 to 14.41), with faster sleep onsets when the proximal skin was warmed. The reduction in sleep-onset latency occurred despite a small but significant decrease in subjective comfort during proximal skin warming. The induction of changes in core temperature (δ = 0.20 ± 0.02°C) and distal skin temperature (δ = 0.74 ± 0.05°C) were ineffective. Previous studies have demonstrated correlations between skin temperature and sleep-onset latency. Also, sleep disruption by ambient temperatures that activate thermoregulatory defense mechanisms has been shown. The present study is the first to experimentally demonstrate a causal contribution to sleep-onset latency of skin temperature manipulations within the normal nocturnal fluctuation range. Circadian and sleep-appetitive behavior-induced variations in skin temperature might act as an input signal to sleep-regulating systems.
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?
The relationship of cooling down the body core temperature by peripheral vasodilation resulting in heat loss has been proposed as a thermoregulatory mechanism to induce sleep.
“The relationship of cooling down the body core temperature by peripheral vasodilation resulting in heat loss has been proposed as a thermoregulatory mechanism to induce sleep22.”
From Diurnal rhythms of wrist temperature are associated with future disease risk in the UK Biobank (2023) · cites this paper as [22]
Cites
The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index: a new instrument for psychiatric practice and research
Buysse, D. J., Reynolds, C. F., Monk, T. H., Berman, S. R., & Kupfer, D. J. (1989) · Psychiatry Research · doi:10.1016/0165-1781(89)90047-4 · Cited by 35,234 · see citing works
Rechtschaffen, A. (1968) · Medical Entomology and Zoology · Cited by 11,772 · see citing works
Wald, A. (1943) · Transactions of the American Mathematical Society · doi:10.1090/s0002-9947-1943-0012401-3 · Cited by 2,522 · see citing works
Guidelines for the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): A Standard Measure of Sleepiness
Carskadon, M. A. (1986) · SLEEP · doi:10.1093/sleep/9.4.519 · Cited by 1,607 · see citing works
Dijk, D., & Czeisler, C. (1995) · The Journal of Neuroscience · doi:10.1523/jneurosci.15-05-03526.1995 · Cited by 1,356 · see citing works
Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis for Epidemiology: A Practical Guide
Twisk, J. W. R. (2003) · Cited by 1,244 · 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
Warm feet promote the rapid onset of sleep
Kräuchi, K., Cajochen, C., Werth, E., & Wirz-Justice, A. (1999) · Nature · doi:10.1038/43366 · Cited by 398 · see citing works
Keeping cool: a hypothesis about the mechanisms and functions of slow-wave sleep
McGinty, D., & Szymusiak, R. S. (1990) · Trends in Neurosciences · doi:10.1016/0166-2236(90)90081-k · Cited by 390 · see citing works
Functional link between distal vasodilation and sleep-onset latency?
Kräuchi, K., Cajochen, C., Werth, E., & Wirz-Justice, A. (2000) · American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · doi:10.1152/ajpregu.2000.278.3.r741 · Cited by 356 · see citing works
VanSomeren, E. J. W. (2000) · Chronobiology International · doi:10.1081/cbi-100101050 · Cited by 329 · see citing works
Self-citationThe effects of high and low ambient temperatures on human sleep stages
Haskell, E. H., Palca, J. W., Walker, J. M., Berger, R. J., & Heller, H. C. (1981) · Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology · doi:10.1016/0013-4694(81)90226-1 · Cited by 302 · see citing works
Adaptation to abrupt time shifts of the oscillator(s) controlling human circadian rhythms.
Mills, J. N., Minors, D. S., & Waterhouse, J. M. (1978) · The Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1113/jphysiol.1978.sp012582 · Cited by 285 · see citing works
Magnocellular nuclei of the basal forebrain: substrates of sleep and arousal regulation.
Szymusiak, R. (1995) · Sleep · doi:10.1093/sleep/18.6.478 · Cited by 272 · see citing works
Kräuchi, K., Cajochen, C., & Wirz-Justice, A. (1997) · Journal of Applied Physiology · doi:10.1152/jappl.1997.83.1.134 · Cited by 227 · see citing works
Nighttime drop in body temperature: A physiological trigger for sleep onset?
Murphy, P. J., & Campbell, S. S. (1997) · Sleep · doi:10.1093/sleep/20.7.505 · Cited by 222 · see citing works
Circadian Clues to Sleep Onset Mechanisms
Kräuchi, K. (2001) · Neuropsychopharmacology · doi:10.1016/s0893-133x(01)00315-3 · Cited by 213 · see citing works
Kräuchi, K., Cajochen, C., Mori, D., Graw, P., & Wirz‐Justice, A. (1997) · American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · doi:10.1152/ajpregu.1997.272.4.r1178 · Cited by 196 · see citing works
Someren, E. J. W. V. (2002) · Ageing Research Reviews · doi:10.1016/s1568-1637(02)00030-2 · Cited by 195 · see citing works
Hypothalamic mechanisms in thermoregulation.
Boulant, J. (1981) · PubMed · Cited by 166 · see citing works
The rhythms of human sleep propensity and core body temperature
Lack, L. C., & Lushington, K. (1996) · Journal of Sleep Research · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2869.1996.00005.x · Cited by 153 · see citing works
Sleep and alertness : chronobiological, behavioral, and medical aspects of napping
Dinges, D. F., & Broughton, R. (1989) · Raven Press eBooks · Cited by 138 · see citing works
Nonpharmacological treatment of late-life insomnia
Morin, C. M., Mimeault, V., & Gagné, A. (1999) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/s0022-3999(98)00077-4 · Cited by 136 · see citing works
Neuronal discharge of preoptic/anterior hypothalamic thermosensitive neurons: relation to NREM sleep
Alam, M. N., McGinty, D., & Szymusiak, R. S. (1995) · American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · doi:10.1152/ajpregu.1995.269.5.r1240 · Cited by 132 · see citing works
Rapid Decline in Body Temperature Before Sleep: Fluffing the Physiological Pillow?
Campbell, S. S., & Broughton, R. (1994) · Chronobiology International · doi:10.3109/07420529409055899 · Cited by 127 · see citing works
McGinty, D., & Szymusiak, R. S. (2001) · Sleep Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1053/smrv.2001.0170 · Cited by 122 · see citing works
Energy metabolism in humans at a lowered ambient temperature
Westerterp‐Plantenga, M. S., Lichtenbelt, W. D. V. M., Strobbe, H., & Schrauwen, P. (2002) · European Journal of Clinical Nutrition · doi:10.1038/sj.ejcn.1601308 · Cited by 118 · see citing works
The Sleep-Evoked Decrease of Body Temperature
Barrett, J., Lack, L. C., & Morris, M. (1993) · SLEEP · doi:10.1093/sleep/16.2.93 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Nocturnal melatonin onset is phase locked to the primary sleep gate
Shochat, T., Luboshitzky, R., & Lavie, P. (1997) · American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · doi:10.1152/ajpregu.1997.273.1.r364 · Cited by 109 · see citing works
Test-Retest Reliability of the MSLT
Zwyghuizen‐Doorenbos, A., Roehrs, T., Schaefer, M. C., & Roth, T. G. (1988) · SLEEP · doi:10.1093/sleep/11.6.562 · Cited by 108 · see citing works
Gilbert, S. S., van den Heuvel, C. J., & Dawson, D. E. (1999) · The Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7793.1999.905ad.x · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Multiple Sleep Latency Tests During the Constant Routine
Carskadon, M. A., & Dement, W. C. (1992) · SLEEP · doi:10.1093/sleep/15.5.396 · Cited by 104 · see citing works
Day-time melatonin administration: Effects on core temperature and sleep onset latency
REID, K., VAN DEN HEUVEL, C., & DAWSON, D. (1996) · Journal of Sleep Research · doi:10.1046/j.1365-2869.1996.t01-1-00006.x · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Liu, X., Uchiyama, M., Shibui, K., Kim, K., Kudo, Y., Tagaya, H., Suzuki, H., & Okawa, M. (2000) · Neuroscience Letters · doi:10.1016/s0304-3940(00)00793-x · Cited by 90 · see citing works
Kubota, T., Uchiyama, M., Suzuki, H., Shibui, K., Kim, K., Tan, X., Tagaya, H., Okawa, M., & Inoué, S. (2002) · Neuroscience Research · doi:10.1016/s0168-0102(01)00310-8 · Cited by 80 · see citing works
Hypothalamic neuronal responses to peripheral and deep-body temperatures
Boulant, J., & Bignall, K. (1973) · American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content · doi:10.1152/ajplegacy.1973.225.6.1371 · Cited by 74 · see citing works
Alternative Electrode Placement in (Automatic) Sleep Scoring (F pz-Cz/P z-Oz versus C4-At )
van Sweden, B., Kemp, B., KAMPHUISEN, H. A. C., & van der Velde, E. A. (1990) · SLEEP · doi:10.1093/sleep/13.3.279 · Cited by 72 · see citing works
The validity of the dutch sleep disorders questionnaire (Sdq)
Sweere, Y., KERKHOF, G. A., de Weerd, A. W., KAMPHUISEN, H. A. C., Kemp, B., & Schimsheimer, R. J. (1998) · Journal of Psychosomatic Research · doi:10.1016/s0022-3999(98)00030-0 · Cited by 62 · see citing works
The effect of postural changes on body temperatures and heat balance
Tikuisis, P., & Ducharme, M. B. (1996) · European Journal of Applied Physiology and Occupational Physiology · doi:10.1007/bf00242275 · Cited by 60 · see citing works
Lowe, A. A. (1993) · SLEEP · doi:10.1093/sleep/16.suppl_8.s93 · Cited by 59 · see citing works
Effect of elevated ambient temperature on sleep, EEG spectra, and brain temperature in the rat
Gao, B. O., Franken, P., Tobler, I., & Borbély, A. A. (1995) · American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · doi:10.1152/ajpregu.1995.268.6.r1365 · Cited by 49 · see citing works
Alam, M. N., McGinty, D., & Szymusiak, R. S. (1997) · Brain Research · doi:10.1016/s0006-8993(96)01452-7 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Einige allgemeine Gesetzm��igkeiten physikalischer Temperaturregulation
Aschoff, J. (1947) · Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1007/bf00362676 · Cited by 42 · see citing works
Clodoré, M., Benoit, O., Foret, J., & Bouard, G. (1990) · SLEEP · doi:10.1093/sleep/13.5.385 · Cited by 40 · see citing works
Circadian rhythm of temperature in man. Comparative study with two experiment protocols.
Marotte, H., & Timbal, J. (1981) · PubMed · Cited by 39 · see citing works
The Effects of a Newly Designed Air Mattress upon Sleep and Bed Climate.
Okamoto, K., Mizuno, K., & Okudaira, N. (1997) · Applied Human Science Journal of Physiological Anthropology · doi:10.2114/jpa.16.161 · Cited by 36 · see citing works
VASOMOTORISCHE VERÄNDERUNGEN IN DEN EXTREMITÄTEN IM VERHALTNIS ZU SCHLAF UND SCHLAFBEREITSCHAFT
MAGNUSSEN, G. (1939) · Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica · doi:10.1111/j.1600-0447.1939.tb06613.x · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Zur Regulationsbreite der physikalischen Temperaturregulation
Aschoff, J. (1947) · Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1007/bf00361753 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Melatonin and Zopiclone: The Relationship Between Sleep Propensity and Body Temperature
Holmes, A. L., Gilbert, S. S., & Dawson, D. E. (2002) · SLEEP · doi:10.1093/sleep/25.3.301 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
Nocturnal microclimate of man.
Goldsmith, R. S., & Hampton, I. (1968) · PubMed · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Influence of the Temperature Signal on Sleep in Mammals
Parmeggiani, P. L. (2000) · Neurosignals · doi:10.1159/000014651 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
Wichniak, A., Geisler, P., Tracik, F. M., et al. (2002) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/s0031-9384(01)00635-7 · Cited by 7 · see citing works
Flagged first, then by citations
Cited by
Sorted by citations
Evaluation of wireless determination of skin temperature using iButtons
VANMARKENLICHTENBELT, W., DAANEN, H., WOUTERS, L., FRONCZEK, R., RAYMANN, R., SEVERENS, N., & VANSOMEREN, E. (2006) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.04.026 · Cited by 392 · see citing works
Self-citationThe relationship between insomnia and body temperatures
Lack, L. C., Gradisar, M., Van Someren, E. J. W., Wright, H. R., & Lushington, K. (2008) · Sleep Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2008.02.003 · Cited by 285 · see citing works
The Temperature Dependence of Sleep
Harding, E. C., Franks, N. P., & Wisden, W. (2019) · Frontiers in Neuroscience · doi:10.3389/fnins.2019.00336 · Cited by 261 · 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
Skin deep: enhanced sleep depth by cutaneous temperature manipulation
Raymann, R. J. E. M., Swaab, D. F., & Van Someren, E. J. W. (2008) · Brain · doi:10.1093/brain/awm315 · Cited by 218 · see citing works
Self-citationMechanisms and functions of coupling between sleep and temperature rhythms
Van Someren, E. J. W. (2006) · Progress in Brain Research · doi:10.1016/s0079-6123(06)53018-3 · Cited by 209 · see citing works
Self-citationThe interrelationship between sleep regulation and thermoregulation
Krauchi, K. (2010) · Frontiers in bioscience · doi:10.2741/3636 · Cited by 156 · see citing works
Skin temperature and sleep-onset latency: Changes with age and insomnia
Raymann, R. J. E. M., Swaab, D. F., & Van Someren, E. J. W. (2007) · Physiology & Behavior · doi:10.1016/j.physbeh.2006.09.008 · Cited by 152 · see citing works
Self-citationCircadian Variation of Sleep During the Follicular and Luteal Phases of the Menstrual Cycle
Shechter, A., Varin, F., & Boivin, D. B. (2010) · Sleep · doi:10.1093/sleep/33.5.647 · Cited by 119 · see citing works
Bonmati-Carrion, M. A., Middleton, B., Revell, V., Skene, D. J., Rol, M. A., & Madrid, J. A. (2014) · Chronobiology International · doi:10.3109/07420528.2013.820740 · Cited by 116 · see citing works
Sleep, vigilance, and thermosensitivity
Romeijn, N., Raymann, R. J. E. M., Møst, E., Te Lindert, B., Van Der Meijden, W. P., Fronczek, R., Gomez-Herrero, G., & Van Someren, E. J. W. (2012) · Pflügers Archiv - European Journal of Physiology · doi:10.1007/s00424-011-1042-2 · Cited by 105 · see citing works
Self-citationHaghayegh, S., Khoshnevis, S., Smolensky, M. H., Diller, K. R., & Castriotta, R. J. (2019) · Sleep Medicine Reviews · doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2019.04.008 · Cited by 99 · see citing works
Altered Skin-Temperature Regulation in Narcolepsy Relates to Sleep Propensity
Fronczek, R., Overeem, S., Lammers, G. J., van Dijk, J. G., & van Someren, E. J. W. (2006) · Sleep · doi:10.1093/sleep/29.11.1444 · Cited by 92 · see citing works
Van Someren, E. J. W. (2007) · American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology · doi:10.1152/ajpregu.00557.2006 · Cited by 89 · see citing works
Fronczek, R., Raymann, R. J. E. M., Romeijn, N., Overeem, S., Fischer, M., Dijk, J. G. V., Jan Lammers, G., & Van Someren, E. J. W. (2008) · Sleep · doi:10.1093/sleep/31.2.233 · Cited by 76 · see citing works
Self-citationRaymann, R. J. E. M., & Van Someren, E. J. W. (2007) · Sleep · doi:10.1093/sleep/30.1.96 · Cited by 70 · see citing works
Self-citationDiurnal rhythms of wrist temperature are associated with future disease risk in the UK Biobank
Brooks, T. G., Lahens, N. F., Grant, G. R., Sheline, Y. I., FitzGerald, G. A., & Skarke, C. (2023) · Nature Communications · doi:10.1038/s41467-023-40977-5 · Cited by 57 · see citing works
Manipulation of skin temperature improves nocturnal sleep in narcolepsy
Fronczek, R., Raymann, R. J. E. M., Overeem, S., Romeijn, N., van Dijk, J. G., Lammers, G. J., & Van Someren, E. J. W. (2008) · Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry · doi:10.1136/jnnp.2008.143610 · Cited by 51 · see citing works
Self-citationImpaired Distal Thermoregulation in Diabetes and Diabetic Polyneuropathy
Rutkove, S. B., Veves, A., Mitsa, T., Nie, R., Fogerson, P. M., Garmirian, L. P., & Nardin, R. A. (2009) · Diabetes Care · doi:10.2337/dc08-1844 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Correlated Fluctuations of Daytime Skin Temperature and Vigilance
Romeijn, N., & Van Someren, E. J. W. (2011) · Journal of Biological Rhythms · doi:10.1177/0748730410391894 · Cited by 48 · see citing works
Romeijn, N., Verweij, I. M., Koeleman, A., Mooij, A., Steimke, R., Virkkala, J., van der Werf, Y., & Van Someren, E. J. W. (2012) · Sleep · doi:10.5665/sleep.2242 · Cited by 41 · see citing works
Self-citationPredominance of Distal Skin Temperature Changes at Sleep Onset across Menstrual and Circadian Phases
Shechter, A., Boudreau, P., Varin, F., & Boivin, D. B. (2011) · Journal of Biological Rhythms · doi:10.1177/0748730411404677 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Garrido, M., Saccardo, D., De Rui, M., Vettore, E., Verardo, A., Carraro, P., Di Vitofrancesco, N., Mani, A. R., Angeli, P., Bolognesi, M., et al. (2017) · Liver International · doi:10.1111/liv.13525 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Lorenz, N., Spada, J., Sander, C., Riedel-Heller, S. G., & Hegerl, U. (2019) · Journal of Psychiatric Research · doi:10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.06.022 · Cited by 38 · see citing works
Some evidence of a time-varying thermal perception
Vellei, M., O’Brien, W., Martinez, S., & Le Dréau, J. (2022) · Indoor and Built Environment · doi:10.1177/1420326x211034563 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
- Authors
- Raymann, R. J. E. M., Swaab, D. F., & Van Someren, E. J. W.
- Venue
- American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology
- Publisher
- American Physiological Society
- Published
- 2005-06
- Volume
- 288
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- R1589-R1597
- ISSN
- 0363-6119 (ISSN-L)
- 1522-1490
- OpenAlex
- W2148259579
- Cited by
- 201
- References
- 52
- Citations by year
- 2026: 16 · 2025: 12 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 10 · 2022: 9 · 2021: 13 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 14 · 2017: 6 · 2016: 12 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 13 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 5.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- American Journal of Physiology-Regulatory, Integrative and Comparative Physiology (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Pure Amsterdam UMC (publishedVersion)
- KNAW Research Portal (The Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences) (publishedVersion)
- Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and related disorders
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Keywords
- sleep latency, skin temperature, core body temperature, thermoregulation, sleep regulation, skin blood flow, perceived comfort, circadian rhythm, sleep homeostasis
- MeSH terms
- Adult, Body Temperature Regulation, Humans, Male, Regression Analysis, Skin Physiological Phenomena, Sleep, Temperature, Poisson Distribution, Linear Models
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
