Partial Sleep Restriction in Chronic Low Back Pain: A Feasibility Study

Actigraph and sleep diaries will be used to record sleep time and quality of sleep for 2 weeks baseline period. During this period several measures for pain, sleep, fatigue, cognition, and psychological status will be completed. Quantitative sensory testing will be used to establish pain threshold. Then, the participants will partial sleep restriction (20% sleep reduction/night for 5 nights). Following the completion of restricted sleep period, all outcome measures related to pain, sleep, fatigue, cognition, and psychological status will be assessed (post-sleep restriction assessment). Then participants' sleep will be monitored for 2-weeks (sleep recovery period). During the 5-night of sleep restriction, participants will be asked to complete electronic daily diary related to sleep, pain, fatigue, psychological distress and physical activity. Potential risk related to less sleep will be clearly explained to all potential individuals interested in participating.

Inclusion criteria

• 25-65 years old individuals

Additional inclusion criteria for individuals with CLBP+I:

• With or without insomnia
• CLBP (LBP for at least 3 months with or without referred or radiating leg pain; pain intensity 1 or greater on 0 - 10 VAS scale
• likely to participate in all scheduled evaluations and study procedures by self-report
• agrees to abide by safely protocol e.g. not to drive or operate heavy machinery and perform heavy labor work, during the sleep-restriction period

Exclusion criteria

• spine compression, tumor, infection, history of spine surgery
• neurological conditions such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive impairments.
• pregnancy
• known untreated sleep disorder (such as current sleep apnea or current restless leg syndrome) screened by the following scales to ensure insomnia symptoms are due to insomnia and not another common sleep disorders:
• Those with increased risk of sleep apnea
• Increased risk of restless leg syndrome on RLS-Diagnosis Index
• Increased risk of circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorder
• Increased risk of parasomnia
• Moderate level of depression identified by Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9)
• Moderate level of anxiety identify by Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7)
• history of drug or alcohol abuse as defined by DSM-IV criteria within the last 2 years
• severe mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
• developmental history of learning disability or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
• is currently receiving CBT-I, physical therapy or chiropractic treatment
• history of spinal surgery
• current use of blood thinning medications
• resting blood pressure greater than 160/90 mmHg40,49,50
• performs overnight shift work

Additional exclusion criteria for HC individuals:

• pain rating 0 out of 0 - 10 Numeric Rating Pain Scale in any parts of the body