The Effect of Sleep Quality on Pain in Chilean Individuals with Musculoskeletal Disorders

Abstract

Poor sleep quality (SQ) negatively affects pain associated with musculoskeletal disorders (MSD). As the level of economic development of a country determines its sanitary conditions, these can influence the sleep–pain relationship; therefore, it is relevant to generate evidence in the population with MSD in developing countries. This cross-sectional study sought to determine the effect of poor SQ on pain in Chilean individuals with MSD, controlling for sex and duration of pain (in months). Method: A total of 228 individuals were included. SQ was measured with the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), pain (intensity, interference and distress relative to pain) was measured with visual analog scales. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was performed to analyze the effect of SQ on pain. Results: A high frequency of poor SQ was present in the studied group, and was more prevalent in women. The SEM model evidenced that poor SQ predicts greater pain. Sex influences sleep quality and pain, but not pain duration. Conclusions: These findings indicate that poor SQ predicts higher pain in MSD and that women exhibit worse SQ and more significant pain than men. Our findings support that SQ should be considered in the comprehensive approach to pain in individuals with MSD.

Efficacy of combined strategies of physical activity, diet and sleep disorders as treatment in patients with chronic shoulder pain. A systematic review

“…The literature review revealed that chronic shoulder pain was linked sleep disorders in 5 of the selected studies ( Cho et al, 2013 ; Mulligan et al, 2015 ; Khazzam et al, 2018 ; Toprak and Erden, 2019 ; Hwang and Oh, 2022 ); however, no treatment strategies were proposed to alleviate pain and improve sleep these patients. These findings are consistent with the studies by Schuh-Hofer et al (2013) and Bascour-Sandoval et al (2021) where the authors noted the high prevalence of sleep disorders in people with chronic pain. The quality and quantity of sleep are important biological resources for regulating pain homeostasis processes ( Haack et al, 2007a ).…”

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“…Bodily pain and general health (i.e., physical health components) were associated with sleep quality, but not bodily function and physical role. Poor sleep quality has been linked to a greater perception of pain, both in athletes (Bascour-Sandoval, Norambuena-Noches, et al, 2021) and individuals with musculoskeletal disorders (Alsaadi et al, 2014;Bascour-Sandoval, Belmar-Arriagada, et al, 2021), which, added to the decrease in mental health, would explain the reduced perception of overall health within the physical components. Potter et al (2020) found that poor sleep quality was associated with higher levels of interference with pain and pain intensity, but not in the domain of physical function/mobility, on the quality of life questionnaire, "Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System" (PROMIS).…”

Sleep disorders in chronic pain and its neurochemical mechanisms: a narrative review

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“…The coexistence of insomnia and chronic musculoskeletal pain results in greater pain intensity and alterations in sleep homeostasis (42). Among patients with neuropathic pain, those with poor sleep quality experience more pain, more severe depressive states, and worse quality of life than patients with good sleep quality, with a positive correlation between sleep quality and emotional state (43). In patients with musculoskeletal disorders, poorer sleep quality is associated with higher pain levels, and a high frequency of poor sleep quality is more prevalent in females (44).…”