II heard a doctor say this week that there may be a link between sleep disturbance and Fibromyalgia (FM).  I read that some professors are researching the link between sleep problems and the chronic pain of FM.  The research will compare the sleep patterns of people with FM and the sleep patterns of healthy, normal-sleeping people.

Since FM affects about 1% to 5 %of the population and is most commonly found in middle-aged women, answers are being sought for its cause.  FM sufferers often report problems getting to sleep and also staying asleep, so researchers think there may be a link. 

This research project will study the relationship between sleep and pain, as well as sleep's relationship to attention and memory, which is another common problem in those with the disease. Study participants will wear an "actigraph" for five days. The device is worn around the wrist and measures a person's physical activity throughout the day.  For those with FM it can sometimes be difficult to tell the difference of when they are asleep and awake because of the sleep problems they have.

The researchers think the study will show that sleep problems play a bigger role than has been acknowledged so far. The study has the potential to increase understanding of the disease, which could lead to more effective treatments.  I’m hoping it does!