Research article summary (published 30 May 2007):

Physiological significance of cyclic changes in room temperature around dusk and dawn for circadian rhythms of core and skin temperature, urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate, and waking sensation just after rising.

Full Abstract

The present study investigated whether room temperature (T(a)) cycles around dusk and dawn could influence the circadian rhythm of rectal temperature (T(core)), urinary 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate during nocturnal sleep, and subjective assessments of sleep in humans. Six female and two male students served as participants. Two different T(a) conditions, cyclic and constant, were established. Two kinds of room temperature were provided to subjects: cyclic T(a) (gradual decrease from 27 degrees C to 24 degrees C between 1800 and 2200 h and gradual increase from 24 degrees C to 27 degrees C between 0300 and 0700 h) and constant T(a) (27 degrees C over 24 h). At cyclic T(a), the circadian nadir of T(core) rhythm was significantly advanced, while T(core) was significantly lower from 2300 to 0200 h and significantly higher from 0600 to 1000 h. The nocturnal concentration of 6-hydroxymelatonin sulfate in the urine during sleep was significantly higher during cyclic T(a). Waking sensation just after rising was significantly better with cyclic T(a). (Skin temperatures in the extremities-T(a)) were significantly higher with cyclic T(a) especially during the evening and night. Our results suggest that gradual change of room temperature in the evening and early morning is important in terms of sleep promotion and fresh awakening. It seems probable that mankind has been evolved to have deeper sleep under the influence of cyclic T(a) around dusk and dawn.

Author information

Author/s: Kondo, Masayuki (M); Tokura, Hiromi (H); Wakamura, Tomoko (T); Hyun, Ki-Ja (KJ); Tamotsu, Satoshi (S); Morita, Takeshi (T); Oishi, Tadashi (T);

Affiliation: Heart-ful Living R&DInstitute, Comprehensive Housing R&D Institute, Sekisui House, Ltd, Kyoto 619-0224, Japan. kondo(-atsign-)gz.sekisuihouse.co.jp

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article

Journal: Journal of physiological anthropology (J Physiol Anthropol), published in Japan. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2007-Jun; vol 26 (issue 4) : pp 429-36

Dates: Created 2007/08/20; Completed 2007/10/09;

PMID: 17704620, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult Body Temperature - physiology Circadian Rhythm - physiology Female Humans Male

Male Melatonin - urine Reference Values Skin Temperature - physiology Sleep - physiology Wakefulness - physiology

Associated Chemicals: Melatonin (73-31-4)

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