Actigraphy in the assessment of insomnia.
OBJECTIVE
The present study explores the clinical utility and sensitivity of actigraphy as an outcome measure in the treatment of chronic insomnia.


METHODS
Following a screening-adaptation night, polysomnography, actigraphy, and sleep-diary data were collected in the sleep laboratory for 2 baseline nights and 2 posttreatment nights.


METHODS
A university-affiliated sleep disorders center.


METHODS
Seventeen participants with chronic primary insomnia. Mean age was 41.6 years.


METHODS
Participants took part in a treatment protocol investigating different sequential treatments for insomnia (these results are reported elsewhere).


RESULTS
Compared to polysomnography, both actigraphy and sleep-diary instruments underestimated total sleep time and sleep efficiency and overestimated total wake time. Also, actigraphy underestimated sleep-onset latency while the sleep diary overestimated it as compared to polysomnography. Actigraphy data were more accurate than sleep-diary data when compared to polysomnography. Finally, actigraphy was sensitive in detecting the effects of treatment on several sleep parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that actigraphy is a useful device for measuring treatment response and that it should be used as a complement to sleep-diary evaluation.
Vallières
Annie
A
Université Laval, Québec, Canada.
Morin
Charles M
CM
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017286:Polysomnography / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D007319:Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*