Estimating the endogenous component of the circadian rhythm of rectal temperature in humans undergoing normal sleep/activity schedules

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Abstract
Continuous recordings have been made of rectal temperature for up to 23 consecutive days, using 13 subjects living a normal routine of sleep and activity. A series of purification methods have been developed that enable the direct effects of sleep and activity upon body temperature to be taken into account; this allows a daily estimate of the “unmasked”; circadian rhythm to be made. Results indicate that the purified, unmasked rhythm showed more daily phase variation than the raw (masked) data. These findings are discussed with regard to the stabilizing effect upon the measured circadian rhythm that masking factors have, and in terms of estimating the phase variability of the endogenous component of the circadian rhythm.