Rem Sleep and Ambient Temperature in Man

Abstract

Five young adult males slept two consecutive nights under each of the five ambient temperatures chosen within the usual range: 13°C, 16°C, 19°C, 22°C, and 25°C. Bedding and other ambient parameters were kept constant under all five ambient temperature conditions. The average REM cycle length significantly decreased when the ambient temperature increased from 13°C to 25°C. Other REM sleep characteristics such as total duration of REM sleep, average REM period, and REM sleep latency did not significantly differ from one ambient temperature condition to another.