A BEHAVIORAL BASIS FOR DISTINGUISHING WAKEFULNESS FROM SLEEP IN INSOMNIAC AND GOOD SLEEPERS

This research was conducted to further validate the Ogilvie and Wilkin son (1988) behavioural model for providing a detailed characterization of nocturnal sleep and wakefulness. 18 chronic insomniacs and 11 good sleepers used behavioural response sleep/wake monitors in their homes for three consecutive nights. A 2 (insomnia x control) x 3 (nights) M ANOVA was performed with age as a covariate as the primary analysis. G roup differences were found for the following predicted parameters: nu mber of responses (wakefulness), sleep onset latency, total percent sl eep, and percent wakefulness prior to sleep onset. Significant night e ffects were present in a number of measures. Group by Night interactio ns were found for total percent sleep, percent sleep after sleep onset , total percent wakefulness, and percent wakefulness after sleep onset . These analyses support the predicted differences between normal and insomniac sleep. The theoretical significance for definitions of sleep and sleep onset and implications for clinical use are discussed.