Association of Cold/Heat Sensation with Sleep Quality and Insomnia in Middle-aged Women

Objectives: Cold extremities have been suggested to correlate with sleep disturbances. This study aims to explore the relationship between thermal sensations in body, encompassing both cold and heat sensations, with sleep quality and insomnia.Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were utilized to assess thermal sensations in body, sleep quality and symptoms of insomnia in middle-aged women. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to ascertain the association between thermal sensations in body and both sleep quality and insomnia symptoms.Results: Among 899 participants, 255 (28.4%) were categorized in the cold sensation group, 95 (10.6%) in the heat sensation group, 70 (7.8%) in the group with both cold and heat sensations, and 479 (53.3%) in the no-sensation group. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Insomnia Severity Index were notably higher in the group experiencing both sensations when compared to the no-sensation group. After adjustments for covariates, the odds ratios for poor sleep quality, moderate/severe insomnia, and long sleep latency were significantly elevated in the group with both sensations when compared to the no-sensation group. The odds ratios for poor sleep quality in the cold sensation group and for moderate/severe insomnia and low sleep efficiency in the heat sensation group were significantly higher when compared to the no-sensation group.Conclusions: The risk for sleep disturbances varied depending on the presence of thermal sensations in body, with the greatest risk observed for low sleep quality and insomnia in individuals experiencing both cold and heat sensations.