Gentle rocking beds could offer a new way to treat insomnia
For adults who struggle to stay asleep, a bed that sways gently throughout the night might offer a path to better rest. New research reveals that continuous rocking reduces nighttime awakenings in people with insomnia symptoms.
A bed that rocks gently could help adults with insomnia achieve better sleep, according to a small study. Insomnia, a common sleep disorder, causes difficulty falling or staying asleep, leading to daytime fatigue and mood issues. The study, published in the Journal of Sleep Research, suggests that continuous, slow rocking may improve sleep quality for people with insomnia symptoms.
Researchers at the University of Geneva tested the theory by recruiting 16 young adults with mild to moderate sleep difficulties. Over three weeks, participants wore wristbands to track their sleep patterns. The following night, participants spent a baseline night in a sleep lab to rule out other sleep issues. They then spent two separate nights in the lab, sleeping on either a stationary bed or one that rocked gently from side to side every four seconds.
The rocking bed resulted in participants spending 34 percent less time awake during the night and 15 percent less time in light sleep. This led to a 25 percent increase in perceived sleep quality and pleasantness. The rocking motion also synchronized with the brain's natural sleep rhythms, boosting sleep spindles and slow waves. However, the rocking bed did not reduce the time it took participants to fall asleep.
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