Copenhagen - Saba:
A recent study conducted by researchers from Aalborg University in Denmark linked sleep disturbance, even for a short period, to increased sensitivity to pain, with a greater effect on women than men.
Researcher Christian Kjær Staal Petersen, who led the study, explained that sleep is not just a physical rest; it plays a crucial role in regulating pain signals, to a degree that exceeds previous expectations, according to the Medical Express website.
The study included 59 healthy adults between the ages of 18 and 45. The researchers measured pain tolerance before and after subjecting the participants to repeated sleep disturbances over three nights, which included waking up three times each night to perform simple tasks.
The results showed that sleep disturbance increases pain perception and negatively impacts physical and psychological health. Petersen emphasized that this study is the first to experimentally demonstrate gender differences in pain responses to sleep disturbances, supporting previous observations from clinical research.
He noted that "replicating these findings across multiple studies strengthens our confidence in them and confirms the link between sleep quality and immunity, mental health, and vital body functions."
In the context of treating chronic pain, experts noted that current options include exercise, which reduces pain by 20-25%; medications that achieve similar relief but with potential side effects; and surgery, which may be successful or, in some cases, may worsen pain.
These findings open new horizons for pain treatment, where improving sleep quality is an essential part of treatment strategies, especially for women, who appear to be more affected by these disorders.
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