Experienced temperature sensitivity and regulation survey (ETSRS): Validation of a comprehensive quantifying scale, sensitive to differences between probable insomnia and controls

Abstract

The connection between sleep or vigilance and temperature sensitivity and regulation processes is strong. Daytime performance and nocturnal sleep also respond to natural fluctuations and induced changes in skin and core body temperature. These associations are altered in people suffering from insomnia. Additionally, people with insomnia have poor judgment of the comfort of temperature in their environment (Romeijn et al., 2012). Quantification of thermal preferences and experienced temperature sensitivity and regulation, which is sensitive enough to detect group differences, is therefore relevant. A comprehensive scale has been lacking so far. We constructed a survey that specifically approaches these domains from a trait-like perspective. Questions include thermal experiences and the relative strength of experiences across different body locations. 240 volunteers were sampled across a wide age range, and the emergent component structure was analyzed. The questions were also assessed in a matched sample of 240 people with probable insomnia. The dimensions, extracted by principal component analyses, showed marked mean differences between cases and controls. Probable insomniacs are more likely to experience fatigue if temperature deviates from the thermoneutral zone and they are more likely to feel cold and experience autonomic and behavioral thermoregulatory responses than controls. The present findings suggest that a multivariate fingerprint of significantly different experienced thermoregulatory activity can be used to discriminate people with probable insomnia from those without sleep complaints. The survey can freely be used by anyone interested in studying individual or group differences in thermosensitivity and thermoregulation.