Sleeping On A Continuously Temperature-Controlled Mattress Cover Improves Cognitive Function

PURPOSE: Previous research shows sleeping on an active temperature-controlled mattress cover (TCM; The Eight Sleep Pod) improves sleep quality by improving body temperature regulation. As sleep quality is positively related to cognitive function, a TCM may improve cognition. Therefore, we evaluated how sleeping on a TCM vs. a non-TCM affects cognitive function. METHODS: Twenty-eight cognitively-healthy adults (21 male, 7 female; 39.5 ± 13.6 y) slept with no TCM for 2 nights (Pod OFF), followed by 2 nights with TCM (Pod ON). Cognitive function was assessed using the Neurotrack platform: processing speed (Symbol-Digit Test), executive function (Path Points), and short-term memory (Image Pairs). Subjects took the test battery twice at baseline (to remove learning effects), and on the 2 Pod OFF and 2 Pod ON mornings. Response times and accuracy were calculated. The Pod measured durations of total sleep (TST) and sleep stages. Each subject’s mean cognitive and sleep metrics were calculated for Pod OFF vs. Pod ON, and paired t-tests or Wilcoxon tests determined statistical significance (alpha <0.05). RESULTS: Subjects completed more trials (Symbol Digit: trial count mean ± SD = 41.2 ± 8.4 vs 38.1 ± 8.5 s, respectively; mean % change ± SD = 8.9 ± 10.8%, P < 0.01) at a faster pace (latency = 2.98 ± 0.51 vs. 3.23 ± 0.60 s, respectively; 7.0 ± 9.0%; P < 0.01) with Pod ON vs OFF. Short-term memory recall speed significantly improved (Image Pairs: 1.42 ± 0.28 vs. 1.51 ± 0.28 s, respectively; 5.8 ± 9.9%; P < 0.01) and executive function improved by 1.46 s (Path Points: 10.51 ± 2.09 vs. 11.97 ± 4.50 s; 7.6 ± 17.4%; P = 0.06) with Pod ON vs. OFF. Accuracy was not significantly different with Pod OFF vs. ON for any tests (all P > 0.05). Increased TST and deep sleep from Pod OFF to ON significantly correlated with improved executive function (r = -0.51, P < 0.01) and short-term memory (r = -0.41, P < 0.05), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Sleeping on a TCM improved processing speed, executive function, and short-term memory, likely through improved TST and deep sleep. As such, a TCM can improve activities of daily living by improving response time to stimuli, short-term memory recall, and efficiency of synthesizing information to make decisions. Supported by: All cognitive testing was provided free of charge by Neurotrack Technologies.