Adults experiences of comorbid insomnia and pain: Entangled vicious cycle, driven by four primary factors
- 1Reykjavik University
Abstract
Chronic pain and insomnia are common, each has serious consequences and they often coexist [1-5]. This novel study employed a phenomenological method to explore adults lived experiences of the core and meaning of comorbid insomnia and pain, here conceptualized as COMIP. The empirical data is based on 22 semi-structured interviews with adults with COMIP. Each interview was analysed, developing themes and analytical frameworks for all participants, which were then compared to construct one main analytical framework. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research were used [6].
The essence of COMIP was: A vicious cycle of insomnia and pain driven by four intertwined primary factors with cross effects, which reduced sleep quality and quality of life. Four main themes emerged: Firstly, insomnia with hyperarousal like racing thoughts, and difficulties with finding comfortable sleeping positions due to pain, disturbed sleep and decreased sleep quality. Secondly, daytime symptoms like reduced energy, with reduced daytime function and reduced quality of life. Thirdly, 24-hour hyperarousal, stress and distressing experiences such as suffering. Finally, contextual factors like treatment reduced and/or increased COMIP.
The main contribution of this research is three-fold; mapping of the experiences of living with COMIP, the conceptualization of COMIP, and introduction of novel concepts. Our findings indicate that, when evaluating patients with COMIP, there is value in exploring the four COMIP factors. Although, it varies between individuals which factor/s is central to their COMIP experience, we emphasize that COMIP is distressing, and patients are likely to need emotional support and validation.
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BibTeX
@misc{albertsdottir2026adults,
title = {{Adults experiences of comorbid insomnia and pain: Entangled vicious cycle, driven by four primary factors}},
author = {A. Albertsdottir and A. S. Islind and H. Skuladottir and S. Halldorsdottir and K. A. Olafsdottir and E. Bjornsdottir and A. Vikingsson and G. N. Pires and E. S. Arnardottir},
howpublished = {medRxiv},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.64898/2026.09.29.26364320},
url = {https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.29.26364320v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - Adults experiences of comorbid insomnia and pain: Entangled vicious cycle, driven by four primary factors
AU - A. Albertsdottir
AU - A. S. Islind
AU - H. Skuladottir
AU - S. Halldorsdottir
AU - K. A. Olafsdottir
AU - E. Bjornsdottir
AU - A. Vikingsson
AU - G. N. Pires
AU - E. S. Arnardottir
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/29
PB - medRxiv
DO - 10.64898/2026.09.29.26364320
UR - https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.29.26364320v1
AB - Chronic pain and insomnia are common, each has serious consequences and they often coexist [1-5]. This novel study employed a phenomenological method to explore adults lived experiences of the core and meaning of comorbid insomnia and pain, here conceptualized as COMIP. The empirical data is based on 22 semi-structured interviews with adults with COMIP. Each interview was analysed, developing themes and analytical frameworks for all participants, which were then compared to construct one main analytical framework. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research were used [6]. The essence of COMIP was: A vicious cycle of insomnia and pain driven by four intertwined primary factors with cross effects, which reduced sleep quality and quality of life. Four main themes emerged: Firstly, insomnia with hyperarousal like racing thoughts, and difficulties with finding comfortable sleeping positions due to pain, disturbed sleep and decreased sleep quality. Secondly, daytime symptoms like reduced energy, with reduced daytime function and reduced quality of life. Thirdly, 24-hour hyperarousal, stress and distressing experiences such as suffering. Finally, contextual factors like treatment reduced and/or increased COMIP. The main contribution of this research is three-fold; mapping of the experiences of living with COMIP, the conceptualization of COMIP, and introduction of novel concepts. Our findings indicate that, when evaluating patients with COMIP, there is value in exploring the four COMIP factors. Although, it varies between individuals which factor/s is central to their COMIP experience, we emphasize that COMIP is distressing, and patients are likely to need emotional support and validation.
ER -