Effects of sleep deprivation on daytime sleepiness in primary insomnia.
OBJECTIVE
This study investigated changes in MSLT scores and recovery sleep following total sleep deprivation in subjects with insomnia as compared to normal sleepers.


METHODS
Matched-groups design.


METHODS
A sleep disorders center in a large medical center.


METHODS
Ten individuals with psychophysiological insomnia and ten age- and sex-matched normal sleepers served as subjects.


METHODS
Subjects underwent total sleep deprivation after baseline polysomnography and MSLT. A post-deprivation MSLT was obtained, as well as polysomnography on the recovery night and an MSLT after the recovery night.


RESULTS
Both groups showed significant decreases in MSLT scores following total sleep deprivation, as compared to baseline. Both groups had significantly shorter scores on a nighttime MSLT compared to a daytime MSLT. The insomnia group also showed a significant increase in total sleep time on the recovery night compared to baseline.


CONCLUSIONS
The MSLT is sensitive to changes in sleepiness associated with total sleep deprivation in individuals with primary insomnia.
Stepanski
E
E
Sleep Disorders and Research Center, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI 48202, USA. estepans@rush.edu
Zorick
F
F
Roehrs
T
T
Roth
T
T
D000328:Adult; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000502:physiology*; D006970:Disorders of Excessive Somnolence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000379:methods; D012892:Sleep Deprivation; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D012895:Sleep, REM / Q000502:physiology*