Interactions Between Sleep and Musculoskeletal Pain

9 September 2025 at 2:00 p.m. EDT
Free to IASP Members; $25 USD Non-Members (click here to become an IASP Member)

Sponsored by the Musculoskeletal Pain SIG

Musculoskeletal pain and sleep disturbances are highly prevalent conditions that frequently co-occur, significantly impacting individuals' quality of life, mood, functional capacity, and overall well-being. While it is well-established that these two issues often present together, the intricate nature of their relationship, including the underlying mechanisms and optimal treatment strategies, continues to be an area of active investigation. This webinar will explore the current state of knowledge regarding the interactions between sleep and musculoskeletal pain.

Moderated by: David Rice, Auckland University of Technology and North Shore Hospital, Auckland

Speaker 1: The bidirectional relationship between sleep problems and musculoskeletal pain, Nils Runge Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Belgium

Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) and sleep disturbances are frequently observed together and are often described as having a bidirectional relationship. However, much of what we know about this co-occurrence stems from observational research, where sleep problems and disorders are defined and measured in diverse ways, limiting the generalizability of findings. These inconsistencies contribute to wide variation in reported prevalence rates and complicate efforts to compare results across studies. This presentation will explore the current epidemiological evidence on sleep problems, particularly in the context of CMP. It will highlight what is well established, where important gaps remain, and how challenges related to terminology, definitions, and measurement continue to shape our understanding and limit cross-study comparability.

Speaker 2: Sleep and Affective Function in Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain , Patrick Finan, University of Virginia, USA

Sleep disturbance is associated with elevated pain sensitivity and clinical pain, and recent studies suggest that affective function may be a key mechanism underlying that association. This talk will cover laboratory and field-based evidence supporting the roles of both resilience (e.g., positive affect) and vulnerability (e.g., pain catastrophizing) factors that characterize the association of sleep and pain. The Sleep-Reward-Pain model will be discussed and data will be presented that links the interrelations of sleep, affect, and pain to prescription opioid use.

Speaker 3: Current treatments for sleep problems in musculoskeletal pain: An overview, Liesbet De Baets, KU Leuven, Belgium

Sleep problems are highly prevalent in people with musculoskeletal pain and can significantly impact physical functioning, pain and recovery. Despite growing recognition of their importance, sleep issues often remain underdiagnosed and undertreated in this population. In this talk, current treatment strategies for sleep disturbances in musculoskeletal pain will be discussed and the evidence supporting them will be examined. Special attention will be given to how sleep management can be personalized—not only in relation to pain, but also considering comorbid sleep conditions such as sleep apnea and circadian rhythm disorders.