2017 Volume 54 Issue 2 Pages 65-73
The effects of cardboard bed on initial stages of sleep under mild cold exposure were investigated. Twelve healthy male subjects slept from 13:15 to 15:15 on a floor (F) and a cardboard bed on the floor (B). Ambient temperature and relative humidity were maintained at 15℃ and 60%, respectively. Polysomnography recordings, skin temperature, microclimate, bed climate, and subjective sensations were obtained. No significant differences were observed in sleep parameters. Back skin temperature significantly increased in B than in the F. The bed climate temperature of the foot area in the later segment of sleep and back area were significantly increased in B compared with that in F. The subjective thermal sensation during sleep was significantly warmer, comfort sensation was significantly more comfort, and subjective stiffness of the bedding was significantly softer in B than it was in F. These results suggest that cardboard bed may increase subjective warm and comfort sensation by increasing back skin temperature and bed climate temperature of the back and foot area during sleep, and further improve stiffness sensation of the bedding.
