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Feeling a tad drowsy and looking to put a number on it? Welcome to the world of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)! You might be wondering, “How can a sleepiness scale be engaging?” Well, hold on to your nightcaps, because this is way more exciting than counting sheep!
Calculation Formula
The ESS calculation is a piece of cake. You simply rate eight common scenarios on a scale of 0 (wouldn’t doze if my life depended on it) to 3 (high chance of dozing). Add your ratings together and voila! You’ve got your total score.
ESS Score = Sum of all scenario scores
ESS Categories
ESS Score |
Sleepiness Level |
0 – 5 |
Lower Normal Daytime Sleepiness |
6 – 10 |
Higher Normal Daytime Sleepiness |
11 – 12 |
Mild Excessive Daytime Sleepiness |
13 – 15 |
Moderate Excessive Daytime Sleepiness |
16 – 24 |
Severe Excessive Daytime Sleepiness |
Calculation Examples
Individual |
Situation Scores |
Total ESS Score |
Bob, the Siesta King |
1, 2, 2, 3, 1, 0, 2, 3 |
14 |
Sleepless Sally, the Insomniac |
0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0, 0 |
0 |
Calculation Methods
Method |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Accuracy |
Self Report |
Easy, No equipment needed |
Relies on honesty |
Moderate |
Sleep Study |
Accurate, Detailed data |
Time consuming, Costly |
High |
Evolution of ESS
Year |
Change |
1971 |
ESS Introduced |
1980 |
Revised for better accuracy |
2000 |
Adapted for children |
Limitations
- Subjective Nature: The ESS relies on self-reporting, which can be inaccurate.
- Doesn’t Measure Severity: The ESS measures frequency but not the severity of sleep episodes.
Alternatives
Method |
Pros |
Cons |
Sleep Study |
Accurate, Detailed data |
Time-consuming, Costly |
FAQs
- What is the Epworth Sleepiness Scale? The Epworth Sleepiness Scale is a questionnaire used to measure a person’s average sleep propensity in daily life.
- How is the ESS Score calculated? The ESS Score is calculated by adding up the scores of eight common scenarios, each rated from 0 (would never doze) to 3 (high chance of dozing).
- What do the ESS Scores mean? The ESS Scores fall into categories ranging from ‘Lower Normal Daytime Sleepiness’ to ‘Severe Excessive Daytime Sleepiness’.
- What are the limitations of the ESS? The ESS may be inaccurate due to the subjective nature of self-reporting and it does not measure the severity of sleep episodes.
- Are there alternatives to the ESS? Yes, alternatives include Sleep Studies which provide accurate and detailed data but can be time-consuming and costly.
- Who can use the ESS? The ESS can be used by anyone looking to measure their average sleep propensity in daily life.
- When was the ESS introduced? The ESS was introduced in 1971 and has since been revised for better accuracy and adapted for children.
- Can I calculate my ESS Score at home? Yes, you can calculate your ESS Score at home using the self-reporting method.
- What is the highest possible ESS Score? The highest possible ESS Score is 24, indicating ‘Severe Excessive Daytime Sleepiness’.
- Can the ESS diagnose sleep disorders? While the ESS can help identify excessive daytime sleepiness, it is not a diagnostic tool and should not replace professional medical advice.
References
- National Sleep Foundation: Offers a wealth of resources on sleep, including articles on the ESS.