Logo image
Back
Distal skin temperature is reduced in individuals with trait vulnerability to stress-related sleep disturbance
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

Distal skin temperature is reduced in individuals with trait vulnerability to stress-related sleep disturbance

Jeremy A. Bigalke, Anna M. Murvich, R. Matthew Brothers and Jason R. Carter
American journal of physiology. Regulatory, integrative and comparative physiology, Vol.329(1), pp.R1-R12
07/01/2025
DOI: 10.1152/ajpregu.00053.2025
PMID: 40392698
url
https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpregu.00053.2025View
Published (Version of record) Open Access

Abstract

Vulnerability to sleep disturbance following stress (i.e., sleep reactivity) is associated with incident insomnia, though the underlying physiological mechanisms remain unknown. We examined skin temperature stress responsiveness in individuals with high (HSR) versus low (LSR) sleep reactivity. We hypothesized that individuals with HSR would exhibit exaggerated reductions in distal skin temperature during stress. Twenty-eight adults with LSR (5 M/9 F; age: 21 4 yr; BMI: 24 +/- 4 kg/m(2)) and HSR (5 M/9 F; age: 22 +/- 4 yr; BMI: 23 +/- 3 kg/m(2)) participated after completing the Ford Insomnia Response to Stress Test (FIRST). Participants wore a water-perfused suit, which was continuously circulated with 34 degrees C water and covered proximal body regions. All participants underwent a Trier Social Stress Test (TSST), which included baseline, speech preparation, speech delivery, and mental arithmetic phases followed by a recovery period. Distal and proximal skin temperature were monitored throughout the testing session. Skin temperature reactivity did not differ between groups. However, a group effect was observed whereby distal skin temperature was reduced by similar to 2 degrees C in the HSR compared with the LSR group at all timepoints. Similarly, upper and lower limb distal-proximal gradients (DPGs) were similar to 1-2 degrees C lower in the HSR group (i.e., colder extremities). Higher FIRST scores were associated with more negative DPG (r = 0.416-0.578). Despite similar reactivity profiles, individuals with HSR exhibit reduced distal skin temperature, the extent of which was proportional to sleep reactivity severity. These findings suggest that differences in distal skin temperature may be a physiological marker of greater vulnerability to stress-related sleep disturbances in individuals with HSR.
 Life Sciences & Biomedicine Physiology Science & Technology

Details

Metrics

1 Record Views
2 Times Cited - Web of Science
Logo image