Effects of mattress support on sleeping position and low-back pain

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To determine the efficacy of decreasing spinal curvature – when sleeping laterally – in reducing low-back pain (LBP) and improving sleep quality in people with chronic LBP. Secondly, to investigate whether sleeping positions, nocturnal movements, and skin temperature are related to pain in people with chronic LBP. Methods Sixteen subjects with chronic LBP (50% female, mean age 45.6 ± 13.1 years) slept for one night on their own mattress, followed by three nights on an experimental mattress – designed to reduce spinal curvature in lateral sleeping positions – and then a final night again on their own mattress. Sleep positions, nocturnal movements, skin temperature, and room temperature were measured throughout the five nights. Numerical pain ratings for pain while lying, pain on rising, stiffness on rising, sleep quality, and mattress comfort were recorded for both mattresses. Results The experimental mattress was associated with 18% (p<.05) lower pain scores while lying and a 25% (p<.01) higher comfort rating. Pain on rising, stiffness on rising, and sleep quality were not different between own and experimental mattress. The relationship between sleep positions and pain scores was non-significant, but pain when rising was positively correlated with nocturnal movement (p<.05) and skin temperature was negatively correlated with pain while lying (p<0.05). Conclusion Pain while lying in bed decreased and comfort was higher for the experimental mattress compared to the participants’ own mattresses.