Partial sleep restriction-induced changes in stress, quality of life, and lipid metabolism in relation to cold hypersensitivity: A before-and-after intervention study

Abstract

Sleep disturbances are associated with cold hypersensitivity (CH) and characterized by excessive cold sensation in specific body parts and cold thermal discomfort. This study investigated the effects of short-term sleep restriction followed by a recovery phase on subjective health status, inflammation, and lipid metabolism in different types of CH. A total of 118 healthy adults aged 35 to 44 years without sleep disturbances were enrolled. Participants underwent 4-hour sleep restrictions per day for 3 days at a hospital and then returned to their daily lives for 4 days of rest. CH was assessed using a structured questionnaire with eight characteristic symptoms. A questionnaire and blood tests were administered baseline, after sleep restriction, and follow-up to assess cortisol, lipid profiles, and self-reported stress and quality of life (QOL). Participants were divided into CH (44.1%) and non-CH (55.9%) groups. The CH group showed increased stress, impaired QOL, and decreased low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) levels compared to the non-CH group after sleep restriction. The variance for QOL (effect size = 0.07), subjective stress (effect size = 0.053), and LDL-C (effect size = 0.029) among time points depended on the group. Short-term sleep restriction was associated with deterioration of subjective health and reduced lipid metabolism; such changes were more evident in the CH group. Our findings suggest the need to consider an individual’s CH status to assess the clinical risk associated with insufficient sleep.

Exploratory study of cold hypersensitivity in Japanese women: genetic associations and somatic symptom burden

“…These women underwent MYCODE genetic testing prior to enrollment. Our study found a cold hypersensitivity prevalence of 53.92%, consistent with other studies reporting 47.78% to 65.68% cold hypersensitivity prevalence in East Asian populations 6 , 8 , 9 , 15 .…”

“…Additionally, cold hypersensitivity can cause distress and hinder the execution of routine activities 6 . In Japan, women with cold hypersensitivity report a painful cold sensation and associated symptoms such as insomnia, fatigue, and edema 7 .…”