ClinicalTrials.gg
RecruitingNCT07827664Updated Sep 25, 2026

The Impact of Insomnia on Pain Sensitivity and the Trajectory of Exercise-induced Muscular Pain

An observational study in Insomnia, Healthy Adult and Musculoskeletal Pain, sponsored by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Recruiting at 1 site in Hong Kong. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 60 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-25.

Sponsored by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University · Observational

From the registry’s dates

  • Started Aug 2026; still recruiting 2 months later.

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Study type
Observational
Model
Case-control
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
80
Ages
18 Years to 60 Years
Sex
All
01

Where this study stands

Counted across the records on this site · 2026-11-13

Among 22 studies in Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University — 8 open to participants now, 8 under way, none of them phase 3. Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders · The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Started
2026
with 7 others
Observational
3 of 22
3 open now
Registered
19th of 22
by date

Among the 22 studies in Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, this one is one of 8 that started in 2026, is one of 3 observational ones, and was the 19th registered.

Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders

2,728 studies on the registry are indexed under Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders; 728 are open to participants now.

Browse Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders studies →

Open to participants now

8 of the 22 studies in Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University are open now, in 2 countries. Recruiting first, the newest first:

2 more — sign in →

By country, each count listing its studies:

All 8 open studies →

Where they have run

Who these studies take

Of the 388 Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders studies recruiting now, 152 (39%) set no upper age limit and 206 (53%) stop at 75 or younger; 59 take children under 18; 108 take healthy volunteers.

This study: 18 Years to 60 Years · all sexes · healthy volunteers too.

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02

Study summary

Sleep is a critical determinant of physiological recovery and pain regulation. Growing evidence suggests that sleep disruption directly heightens central and peripheral pain sensitivity to sensory stimuli (e.g., mechanical pressure, thermal stimuli), serving as a significant risk factor for the onset and persistence of musculoskeletal pain. However, the precise mechanisms through which sleep quality regulates bodily sensory sensitivity and influences the onset, progression, and recovery trajectories of acute musculoskeletal pain in the general public remain insufficiently understood.

This study aims to investigate the relationship between sleep condition, pain sensitivity, and musculoskeletal pain dynamics in healthy adults from the general population, regardless of their physical activity levels. Utilizing a standardized, safe, and fully reversible exercise-induced muscle soreness (EIMS) protocol as an experimental pain model, this project will continuously evaluate participants' quantitative sensory testing (QST) profiles and sleep parameters.

The findings from this study will advance the mechanistic understanding of sleep-mediated pain modulation, providing evidence-based insights to inform future targeted sleep management and pain prevention interventions.

03

Conditions studied

  • Insomnia
  • Healthy Adult
  • Musculoskeletal Pain
  • Pain Sensitivity

Keywords

  • Sleep Quality
  • Sleep Duration
  • Insomnia
  • Exercise-Induced Muscle Soreness
  • Eccentric exercise
  • Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST)
  • Recovery Trajectory
  • Healthy Volunteers
04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years to 60 Years
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
Yes
Sampling method
Non-probability sample

Study population

Healthy Adult with or without insomnia

Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.

Inclusion criteria

  • Adults aged 18 to 60 years
  • Right hand and foot dominant

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • History of any chronic musculoskeletal pain or presence of existing pain during recruitment
  • Previous major injuries or surgery involving the lower limbs
  • Sleep disorders other than insomnia
  • Clinically diagnosed psychiatric disorders
  • to vigorous exercise identified through the physical activity readiness questionnaire (PAR-Q)
  • Work night shifts or rotating shift schedules
  • Pregnant
Terms in these criteria, in plain language(1)

Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.

Contraindication

A reason a treatment, test or procedure should not be given to a particular person, such as an allergy, another illness or a medicine they take.

05

Study design

Observational model
Case-control
Time perspective
Prospective
Enrollment
80 participants (estimated)
Patient registry
No

Groups and cohorts

  • Insomnia

    Other: Eccentric exercise

  • Healthy contry

    Other: Eccentric exercise

Interventions

  • OtherEccentric exercise

    Eccentric exercise

06

What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Muscle damage severity: Muscle pain

    Muscle pain will be measured by an 11-point NRS, with 0 represents "no pain" and 10 indicating "worst imaginable pain". The Outcome will be recorded at rest, reach for the floor with knees straight, and during a validated hamstring provocative manoeuvre, the "taking-off shoe" test.

    Time frame: Day 0 to Day 14

  2. Muscle damage severity: Muscle soreness

    Muscle soreness will be measured by an 7-point Likert scale, with 0= A complete absence of soreness," 1 = "A light soreness in the muscle felt only when touched/a vague ache," 2 = "A moderate soreness felt only when touched/a slight persistent pain," 3 = "A light muscle soreness when walking up and down stairs," 4 = "A light muscle soreness when walking on flat surface," 5 = "A moderate muscle soreness, stiffness, or weakness when walking," 6 = "A severe muscle soreness, stiffness, or weakness that limits my ability to move."

    Time frame: Day 0 to Day 14

  3. Pain Sensitivity: Thermal pain threshold

    Thermal thresholds will be measured with a 30 × 30 mm thermode (TSA 2, Medoc Ltd., Ramat Yishai, Israel). The thermode will be placed gently on the skin without causing deformation. Using the method of limits, temperature will increase or decrease at 1℃/second within a 0 - 51℃ range, with a baseline temperature of 32℃. Participants will press the stop button when the thermal sensation first becomes painful. The mean value of five consecutive trials will be used in the analysis.

    Time frame: Day 7 and Day 9

  4. Pain Sensitivity: Mechanical pain threshold

    Mechanical pain threshold will be evaluated using standardised weighted pinprick stimulators (MRC System GmbH, Heidelberg, Germany) with a 0.25mm flat contact area. Seven fixed intensities (8 mN - 512 mN) will be applied. The final threshold will be calculated as the geometric mean of the ascending and descending stimulus intensities from five series.

    Time frame: Day 7 and Day 9

  5. Pain Sensitivity: Pressure pain threshold

    Pressure pain threshold will be assessed with a digital pressure algometer (Medoc Ltd., Ramat Yishai, Israel) equipped with a 1 cm2 rubber probe. Pressure will be applied at 30 Kpa per second until participants perceive painful. Three trials will be performed, and the mean scores will be calculated to determine the PPT.

    Time frame: Day 7 and Day 9

  6. Pain Sensitivity: Temporal summation of mechanical pain (TSP-M)

    The pinprick stimulator will assess TSP-M at 256 mN. Ten stimuli will be delivered at 1-second intervals over a 1 cm2 area. Pain intensity will be rated on an 11-point NRS after the first and the 10th stimuli. If the NRS pain rating remains 0 out of 10 for three consecutive 256 mN stimuli, intensity will be increased to 512 mN, and the trial will be repeated. TSP-M will be calculated as the NRS difference between the first stimulus and the 10th stimulus.

    Time frame: Day 7 and Day 9

  7. Pain Sensitivity: Temporal summation of heat pain (TSP-H)

    TSP-H will be measured with a 9 cm2 thermode (TSA 2, Medoc Ltd., Ramat Yishai, Israel). Two sequences of 10 heat pulses at 46 ℃ and 48 ℃ will be delivered with a 5-minute interval. Each pulse has a 0.5 s duration and will be delivered from a 40 ˚C baseline at a 13°C/s ramp rate and 2.5 s interstimulus interval. The participant will rate pain intensity on an 11-point NRS after each stimulus. TSP-H will be defined as the NRS difference between the 10th stimulus and the first stimulus for each temperature.

    Time frame: Day 7 and Day 9

  8. Pain Sensitivity: Conditioned pain modulation (CPM)

    CPM will be evaluated using a noxious conditioning stimulus (CS) and a test stimulus (TS). The CS will be contact heat applied to the dominant volar forearm between the distal third of the forearm and the ulnar styloid. Temperature will be set 1.1 °C above the participant's HPT for 120s, starting from 32 ℃ with an 8°C/s ramp using the TSA 2 device (Medoc Ltd., Ramat Yishai, Israel). During the CPM assessment, if participants could not tolerate the CS (i.e., pain intensity over 8 on the11-point NPRS) or if they reported a pain intensity below 4 on the 11-point NPRS, the temperature of the CS will be adjusted to ensure a safe and adequate stimulus intensity. The TS will be applied to the thenar eminence of the non-dominant hand using a pressure algometer (Medoc Ltd., Ramat Yishai, Israel) to determine PPT before and immediately after the CS. The CPM effect will be calculated by subtracting the PPT measured before the CS from the PPT measured after the CS.

    Time frame: Day 7 and Day 9

Secondary outcomes

  1. Sleep Questionnaires: the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI)

    The ISI is a 7-item self-report questionnaire assessing the nature, severity, and impact of insomnia. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0 to 4). The total score ranges from 0 to 28, with higher scores indicating greater severity of insomnia

    Time frame: Day 0 and Day 7

  2. Sleep Questionnaires: The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI)

    The PSQI is a 19-item self-report questionnaire that evaluates sleep quality and disturbances over a 1-month time interval. It generates seven component scores: subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction. Each component is scored from 0 to 3. The sum of these seven component scores yields a global PSQI score ranging from 0 to 21, where higher scores indicate poorer sleep quality.

    Time frame: Day 0 and Day 7

  3. Sleep diary: Total Sleep Time

    Assessed using a daily consensus sleep diary. Total Sleep Time is calculated as the total time spent asleep, derived from the total time in bed (bedtime to rise time) minus sleep onset latency and wake after sleep onset. Higher values indicate longer sleep duration.

    Time frame: Day 0 to Day 14

  4. Sleep diary: Sleep Onset Latency (SOL)

    Assessed using a daily consensus sleep diary. Sleep Onset Latency is the estimated time (in minutes) it takes to fall asleep after turning off the lights. Lower values indicate better sleep onset.

    Time frame: Day 0 to Day 14

  5. Sleep diary: Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO)

    Assessed using a daily consensus sleep diary. WASO is calculated as the total duration of wakefulness (in minutes) between initial sleep onset and final awakening, derived from the number of night awakenings multiplied by their average duration. Lower values indicate better sleep continuity.

    Time frame: Day 0 to Day 14

  6. Sleep diary: Sleep Efficiency (SE)

    Assessed using a daily consensus sleep diary. Sleep Efficiency is calculated as the percentage of time in bed spent asleep: \[(Total Sleep Time / Total Time in Bed) × 100\]. Total Sleep Time is derived from total time in bed (time between bedtime and rise time) minus sleep onset latency and nocturnal wakefulness (calculated from the number and duration of night awakenings). Scores range from 0% to 100%, with higher percentages indicating better sleep quality.

    Time frame: Day 0 to Day 14

  7. Actigraphy: Total Sleep Time (TST)

    Measured objectively using a wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer and validated sleep-scoring algorithms. Total Sleep Time is defined as the total amount of time spent sleeping between bedtime and rise time. Higher values indicate longer sleep duration.

    Time frame: Day 0 to Day 14

  8. Actigraphy: Sleep Onset Latency (SOL)

    Measured objectively using a wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer. Sleep Onset Latency is defined as the period of time (in minutes) between the initial bedtime (lights out) and the onset of continuous sleep detected by the algorithm. Lower values indicate faster sleep onset and better sleep initiation.

    Time frame: Day 0 to Day 14

  9. Actigraphy: Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO)

    Measured objectively using a wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer. WASO is defined as the total number of minutes spent awake after initial sleep onset and before final awakening, as determined by epoch-by-epoch movement counts. Lower values indicate better sleep continuity and fewer night awakenings.

    Time frame: Day 0 to Day 14

  10. Actigraphy: Sleep Efficiency (SE)

    Measured objectively using a wrist-worn ActiGraph accelerometer. Sleep Efficiency is calculated as the percentage of time in bed spent asleep: \[(Total Sleep Time / Total Time in Bed) × 100\]. Values range from 0% to 100%, with higher percentages indicating better sleep quality and efficiency.

    Time frame: Day 0 to Day 14

  11. Psychological measurement: Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21)

    Assessed using the 21-item Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS-21). The instrument consists of three 7-item subscales measuring depression, anxiety, and stress. Each item is rated on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 0 ("did not apply to me at all") to 3 ("applied to me very much or most of the time"). Sum scores for each subscale are calculated and multiplied by 2 to yield total scores ranging from 0 to 42 for each dimension (Depression: 0-42, Anxiety: 0-42, Stress: 0-42), with a total overall score ranging from 0 to 126. Higher scores indicate greater levels of psychological distress/severity.

    Time frame: Day 0, Day 7, and Day 9

  12. Psychological measurement: Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS)

    Assessed using the 13-item Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS) to evaluate catastrophic thoughts and feelings associated with pain (comprising rumination, magnification, and helplessness subscales). Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 0 ("not at all") to 4 ("all the time"). The total score ranges from 0 to 52, with higher scores indicating higher levels of pain catastrophizing.

    Time frame: Day 0, Day 7, and Day 9

  13. Psychological measurement: Fear of Pain Questionnaire (FPQ-9)

    Assessed using the 9-item short form of the Fear of Pain Questionnaire (FPQ-9) to assess fear of different painful experiences across severe pain, minor pain, and medical pain domains. Each item is rated on a 5-point Likert scale from 1 ("not at all") to 5 ("extreme"). The total score ranges from 9 to 45, with higher scores indicating greater fear of pain.

    Time frame: Day 0, Day 7, and Day 9

  14. Psychological measurement: Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11)

    Assessed using the 11-item Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-11) to evaluate fear of movement or (re)injury. Each item is scored on a 4-point Likert scale ranging from 1 ("strongly disagree") to 4 ("strongly agree"). The total score ranges from 11 to 44, with higher scores indicating greater fear of movement/kinesiophobia.

    Time frame: Day 0, Day 7, and Day 9

  15. Physical Activity Level: International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF)

    Assessed using the 7-item International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF). The questionnaire measures the duration (minutes) and frequency (days) of walking, moderate-intensity activities, and vigorous-intensity activities performed over the last 7 days. Total physical activity volume is calculated as MET-minutes per week (MET-min/week) using standardised MET energy expenditure values: Walking = 3.3 METs, Moderate PA = 4.0 METs, and Vigorous PA = 8.0 METs. Total score is the sum of (METs × minutes × days) across all three domains, with scores starting from 0 and no strict upper limit. Higher scores indicate higher levels of overall physical activity.

    Time frame: Day 0, Day 7, and Day 9

07

Study locations

1 of 1 sites recruiting
08

References and documents

Individual participant data

Plan to share: No

No publications or documents are linked to this record.

09

Timeline

1 registry update since Sep 25, 2026
ElapsedEstimatedEstimated, not yet reachedSimilar studies: half by the dot; the band is the middle halfHalf of similar studies reached it by the dot; the band is the middle half, from a quarter to three quarters

Started Aug 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Aug 2027, 12 months after the start.

Of 127 non-industry observational studies under Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders, half reached primary completion within 21 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 5 and three quarters within 42. This study's planned 12 months is below that.

Counting every sponsor, half of 137 studies reached it within 18 months; a quarter within 4 and three quarters within 40.

How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.

Registered
Sep 2, 2026
First posted
Sep 18, 2026
StartActual
Aug 26, 2026
Primary completionEst.
Aug 31, 2027
CompletionEst.
Aug 31, 2027
Last update
Sep 25, 2026
What these dates mean
Start.
When the first participant enrolled; while estimated, when the study expects to open to recruitment.
Primary completion.
When the last participant was examined or treated to collect data for the study's main question, its primary outcome. A study that stopped early gives the date its data collection stopped.
Completion.
When the last participant's last visit took place, for every outcome, secondary ones and side effects included: the end of the study. Often later than primary completion, sometimes the same day.
Actual and Est.
Actual means the registry says the date has happened. Est. (estimated) is a date the sponsor plans or expects. It can still move, and the sponsor is expected to change it to actual once it has passed.
Minor edits
Nothing that changes what the study is or who can join. Edited: arm descriptions
1 update, last Sep 25, 2026
Show all 1 update
  1. Sep 25, 2026
    Minor edits only
    + 1 other change: arm descriptions

From the registry record's own update history. This site started tracking changes on Sep 25, 2026; for anything earlier, see the record history on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

10

Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT07827664
Responsible party
Sponsor
First posted
Sep 18, 2026
Start date
Aug 26, 2026
Primary completion
Aug 31, 2027 (estimated)
Completion
Aug 31, 2027 (estimated)
Last update
Sep 25, 2026

Study contacts

Leo Guohui Lin
Contact
guohui-leo.lin@connect.polyu.hk
+852 94267004

Oversight

FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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