Sleep and Chronic Pain

Abstract

Chronic pain can be unrelenting. Unlike acute pain for which therapies could provide relief, chronic pain can seldom be cured. Persistent pain often impairs functioning. It may be surprising but chronic pain patients' quality of life has been found to be lower than those of patients with chronic illnesses or life-threatening diseases (e.g., HIV/AIDS). While some individuals manage to live fulfilling lives despite pain, others suffer both physically and mentally and go on to develop anxiety, depression, and even increased suicidal ideation and behavior. One plausible reason is that, to many chronic pain patients, pain is not the only source of distress and disability. Among the many other concomitant health and emotional problems, sleep (or the lack of it) is a particular area with which most chronic pain patients want help. In this chapter, we will briefly review the basics of sleep, revisiting the importance and structure of sleep and describing the types/patterns of sleep disturbance commonly observed in patients with chronic pain. We will then examine the interplay between pain and sleep and provide a brief road map for sleep assessment. Finally, we will review the recent advances in both pharmacological and psychological treatments for insomnia occurring with chronic pain. The advantages and disadvantages of the existing treatment options will be considered, and avenues for future research and treatment development highlighted. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)