Which instrument is used to assess overall sleep quality and disturbances over a defined period in research settings?

Which instrument is used to assess overall sleep quality and disturbances over a defined period in research settings?

• A. Epworth Sleepiness Scale
• B. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index
• C. Sleep Quality Subscale
• D. Insomnia Severity Index

Answer: (B)

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index is designed to capture a comprehensive view of sleep by combining multiple aspects of sleep quality and disturbances over a defined period, typically the past month. It evaluates seven components—subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction—and sums them into a global score. This gives researchers a single, standardized measure that reflects overall sleep quality across both nighttime sleep and its daytime consequences, making it well-suited for research settings where comparing groups or tracking changes over time is important. The other options focus more narrowly: the Epworth Sleepiness Scale targets daytime sleepiness in various situations, not overall sleep quality or disturbances. The Insomnia Severity Index evaluates the severity of insomnia symptoms over a recent short period, rather than a broad picture of sleep quality. The Sleep Quality Subscale is not as widely used or defined as a standalone measure of overall sleep quality.

The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index is designed to capture a comprehensive view of sleep by combining multiple aspects of sleep quality and disturbances over a defined period, typically the past month. It evaluates seven components—subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleep medication, and daytime dysfunction—and sums them into a global score. This gives researchers a single, standardized measure that reflects overall sleep quality across both nighttime sleep and its daytime consequences, making it well-suited for research settings where comparing groups or tracking changes over time is important.

The other options focus more narrowly: the Epworth Sleepiness Scale targets daytime sleepiness in various situations, not overall sleep quality or disturbances. The Insomnia Severity Index evaluates the severity of insomnia symptoms over a recent short period, rather than a broad picture of sleep quality. The Sleep Quality Subscale is not as widely used or defined as a standalone measure of overall sleep quality.