Sleep-SCIence: Temperature-Controlled Mattress Toppers for Sleep Management in Adults with Spinal Cord Injury

Professor Matthew Driller is one of the two recipients of the inaugural Marigold Southey and Freemasons Foundation Victoria Spinal Cord Injury Research Grant.

About the study

People with spinal cord injury (SCI) often sleep poorly – around two-thirds report poor sleep quality, yet sleep is rarely targeted in SCI care. A key reason is that SCI disrupts the nerves that control body temperature, so the natural cooling that normally helps us fall and stay asleep doesn’t happen properly. People with SCI frequently overheat at night and wake repeatedly, and may not be able to adjust bedding or room temperature themselves.

This project will test whether a temperature-controlled mattress topper, which automatically warms and cools the bed through the night, can improve sleep in adults living with SCI. Each participant will be monitored for three weeks using their usual bed, then three weeks using the mattress topper.

Objectives

The study will measure sleep, thermal comfort, mood, and wellbeing. If effective, this simple, non-medicinal, at-home intervention could meaningfully improve sleep, mental health, and rehabilitation for people with SCI.