Sleep as a Therapeutic Target for Pain Management

AbstractPurpose of ReviewThe purpose of this review is to provide a summary of the utilization of sleep as a therapeutic target for chronic pain and to evaluate the recent literature on current and proposed pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic sleep interventions used in the management of pain disorders.Recent FindingsSleep is a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of pain disorders with both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic therapies. Non-pharmacologic therapies include cognitive behavioral therapy and sensory-based therapies such as pink noise, audio-visual stimulation, and morning bright light therapy. Pharmacologic therapies include melatonin, z-drugs, gabapentinoids, and the novel orexin antagonists. However, more research is needed to clarify if these therapies can improve pain specifically by improving sleep.SummaryThere is a vast array of investigational opportunities in sleep-targeted therapies for pathologic pain, and larger controlled, prospective trials are needed to fully elucidate their efficacy.
Source: Current Pain and Headache Reports - Category: Neurology Source Type: research