THE EFFECT OF ROOM-TEMPERATURE ON RECTAL TEMPERATURE DURING NIGHT SLEEP

1. The study aimed at knowing how differently two kinds of room temper ature could influence the core temperature during 8 h night sleep and subjective sleep sensation. 2. Two kinds of room temperature used were (i) an increase from 27 degrees C to 28.5 degrees C over 4 h after th e subjects went to bed and then a decrease from 28.5 degrees C to 27 d egrees C over 4 h (Rise-Fall); (ii) a decrease from 27 degrees C to 25 .5 degrees C over 4 h and then an increase from 25.5 degrees C to 27 d egrees C over 4 h (Fall-Rise). 3. Core temperature fell more deeply in Fall-Rise. 4. Minimum value of core temperature was observed ca. 6 h later in Fall-Rise after the subjects retired, while it was not consis tent in Rise-Fall. 5. Subjective sleep sensation was better in Fall-Ri se. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.