Study Objectives: This study investigated changes in MSLT scores and recove
ry sleep following total sleep deprivation in subjects with insomnia as com
pared to normal sleepers.
Design: Matched-groups design.
Setting: A sleep disorders center in a large medical center.
Participants: Ten individuals with psychophysiological insomnia and ten age
- and sex-matched normal sleepers served as subjects.
Interventions: Subjects underwent total sleep deprivation after baseline po
lysomnography and MSLT. A post-deprivation MSLT was obtained, as well as po
lysomnography on the recovery night and an MSLT after the recovery night.
Measurements and Results: Both groups showed significant decreases in MSLT
scores following total sleep deprivation, as compared to baseline. Both gro
ups had significantly shorter scores on a nighttime MSLT compared to a dayt
ime MSLT. The insomnia group also showed a significant increase in total sl
eep 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.