Gilbert et al. (2004) – Thermoregulation as a Sleep Signalling System
Comprehensive review from the University of South Australia. Under normal conditions, the rhythms of core body temperature and sleep are closely linked: sleep propensity reaches its maximum during the descending phase of core temperature. The authors show that peripheral heat dissipation (via hands and feet) is a central signal for sleep onset and that thermoregulatory centres in the hypothalamus interact directly with sleep-regulating neurons.
Thermoregulation
Sleep signal
Review
Open PDF
Van Someren (2006) – Mechanisms and Functions of Coupling between Sleep and Temperature Rhythms
Foundational work by Eus J.W. Van Someren on the coupling of sleep and temperature rhythms. Energy metabolism is closely linked to the circadian rhythms of sleep and body temperature. Sleep preferentially occurs during the circadian phase of reduced heat production and increased heat dissipation – the latter through a strong increase in skin blood flow and skin warming.
Circadian rhythms
Heat dissipation
Coupling
Open PDF
Herberger et al. (2024) – Enhanced Conductive Body Heat Loss During Sleep Increases Slow-Wave Sleep and Calms the Heart
Multi-centre study with 72 participants at Charité Berlin, University of Turin and Northwestern University Chicago. A high thermal-conductivity mattress enabled uniform cooling during sleep. Result: the deep sleep phase (N3) increased by an average of 7.5 minutes, heart rate fell by 2.36 beats per minute. Participants with greater body cooling showed a phase shift in the NREM–REM cycle with an elevated N3 proportion in the second half of the night.
Deep sleep
Heart rate
Heat dissipation
Mattress
Open PDF
Togo et al. (2007) – Influence on Human Sleep Patterns of Lowering and Delaying the Minimum Core Body Temperature
Study on the effect of slowly and deliberately lowering ambient temperature within the thermoneutral zone on sleep. Result: the duration of deep sleep (SWS) rose from an average of 89 to 121 minutes – an increase of approximately 36 %. The slow cooling led to a deeper minimum core body temperature (−0.2 °C) and a prolonged phase of heat dissipation, without affecting total sleep time.
Deep sleep
Ambient temperature
+36 % SWS
Open PDF
Troynikov et al. (2018) – Sleep Environments and Sleep Physiology: A Review
Comprehensive review by RMIT University on sleep environments and sleep physiology. Sleep loss impairs task performance, recovery from physical activity, cognitive performance and mood. The authors analyse the thermal microclimate between body and duvet and its influence on sleep stages, duration and quality.
Review
Sleep environment
Microclimate
Open PDF
Nicol (2019) – Temperature and Sleep
Study from London Metropolitan University on the relationship between temperature and sleep quality. The author examines how room temperature, bedding and sleepwear together influence thermal balance and which temperature ranges are optimal for restorative sleep. The work connects sleep research with building energy efficiency.
Sleep temperature
Bedding
Room temperature
Open PDF
Komagata et al. (2020) – Dynamic REM Sleep Modulation by Ambient Temperature and the Critical Role of the Melanin-Concentrating Hormone System
Study on the dynamic modulation of REM sleep by ambient temperature. Wild-type mice respond to warming with an increase in REM sleep. The melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) system plays a critical role: optogenetic activation of MCH neurons enhances REM sleep expression during warming, while blocking them prevents this modulation. The results show that thermoregulation is strongly impaired during REM sleep.
REM sleep
MCH system
Temperature modulation
Open PDF
Fietze – Thermoregulation (Encyclopaedia of Sleep Medicine)
Review article by Ingo Fietze in the Encyclopaedia of Sleep Medicine (Springer). Thermoregulation is determined by the set-point of the central core body temperature. Regulation is achieved via various feedback mechanisms that control heat production and heat dissipation. During sleep these processes are regulated differently than during wakefulness – even under constant external conditions.
Sleep medicine
Encyclopaedia
Thermoregulation
Open PDF
Z-Zone