Epworth Sleepiness Scale
The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) is a simple, self-administered questionnaire used to measure daytime sleepiness. It helps assess how likely you are to fall asleep in different everyday situations, which can indicate if you may be suffering from a sleep disorder such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). The ESS is a widely recognized tool used by healthcare providers to screen for excessive daytime sleepiness and determine whether further sleep evaluation is needed.
Instructions:
For each of the following situations, rate how likely you are to doze off or fall asleep on a scale from 0 to 3, where:
- 0 = Would never doze
- 1 = Slight chance of dozing
- 2 = Moderate chance of dozing
- 3 = High chance of dozing
Think about your usual way of life in recent times. Even if you haven’t done some of these activities recently, try to imagine how they would affect you.
- Sitting and reading
- Watching TV
- Sitting inactive in a public place (e.g., a theater or a meeting)
- As a passenger in a car for an hour without a break
- Lying down to rest in the afternoon when circumstances permit
- Sitting and talking to someone
- Sitting quietly after lunch without alcohol
- In a car, while stopped for a few minutes in traffic
Scoring:
Once you have completed the questionnaire, add up your scores from each item. The total score will range from 0 to 24.
- 0-7: You have a normal level of daytime sleepiness.
- 8-9: You have an average amount of daytime sleepiness.
- 10-15: You may be experiencing excessive daytime sleepiness and should consider discussing your results with a healthcare provider.
- 16-24: You are experiencing severe daytime sleepiness and should seek medical evaluation as soon as possible.
If your score is 10 or higher, it may indicate a sleep disorder such as Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Discuss your results with a healthcare professional to determine if further testing or treatment is necessary.