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The effect of far-infrared emitting sheets on sleep

William Vaughn McCall (Multiple Energy Technologies LLC, Washington, Pennsylvania, USA)
Alan Letton (Multiple Energy Technologies LLC, Washington, Pennsylvania, USA)
Jordan Lundeen (Multiple Energy Technologies LLC, Washington, Pennsylvania, USA)
Doug Case (Multiple Energy Technologies LLC, Washington, Pennsylvania, USA)
Francisco J. Cidral-Filho (Health Sciences Department, Laboratory of Experimental Neurosciences – University of Southern Santa Catarina, Palhoça, Brazil)

Research Journal of Textile and Apparel

ISSN: 1560-6074

Article publication date: 27 July 2018

Issue publication date: 22 October 2018

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Abstract

Purpose

The application of far-infrared energy to skin is expected to lead to vasodilatation of the skin surface, consequently warming the skin, and promoting sleep induction. The purpose of this paper was to test whether bedsheets impregnated with bioceramic far-infrared technology would improve the perception of sleep in a sample of healthy adults.

Design/methodology/approach

Twenty-nine adults consented to participate, randomizing 17 to the far-infrared bedsheets and 12 to the control bedsheets. Two of the control participants dropped out prior to randomization and prior to completing any assessments and therefore are excluded from the analyses. After baseline assessment, participants slept on their randomly assigned sheets for five weeks, followed by a one week “wash out”. Insomnia symptoms were assessed with the Insomnia Severity Index, depression symptoms with the Patient Health Questionnaire, “vigor” and “fatigue” with the Profile of Mood States, and napping behavior with daily sleep diaries.

Findings

During the period of randomization, the participants on the far-infrared sheets reported fewer insomnia symptoms and less napping. This advantage was lost during the wash out period.

Originality/value

Far-infrared technology produces benefits on reported sleep in healthy normal adults.

Keywords

Citation

McCall, W.V., Letton, A., Lundeen, J., Case, D. and Cidral-Filho, F.J. (2018), "The effect of far-infrared emitting sheets on sleep", Research Journal of Textile and Apparel, Vol. 22 No. 3, pp. 247-259. https://doi.org/10.1108/RJTA-02-2018-0008

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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