Experimental Sleep Restriction Increases Somatic Complaints in Healthy Adolescents

Abstract Short duration sleep and somatic complaints (bodily complaints like aches/pains or GI distress) are common in adolescence and may be linked, yet no published studies have tested causation. In this study, healthy adolescents (n=30; 14-18yrs) completed a 3-week, within-subject cross-over experiment. Following a sleep stabilization week, adolescents were randomized (in counterbalanced order) to 5 nights of 6.5hrs in bed (Insufficient Sleep) or 9.5hrs in bed (Sufficient Sleep), each preceded by a 2-night “washout.” Somatic complaints were assessed via the Children's Somatic Symptoms Inventory (CSSI-24) and the Pain and Symptom Assessment Tool (PSAT) concluding each condition. Adherence to experimental condition was confirmed via actigraphy. Adolescents slept 2 fewer hours and reported significantly greater frequency and severity of somatic complaints during the Insufficient Sleep (vs. Sufficient Sleep) condition. Restricting sleep opportunity to a level common in adolescence causally increased somatic complaints in otherwise healthy adolescents. Findings support clinical and preventative efforts to address pervasively inadequate sleep in adolescence.