Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS)

 

Rate situations associated with sleepiness:
Sitting and reading
		No chance of dozing (0 points)
		Slight chance of dozing (1 point)
		Moderate chance of dozing (2 points)
		High chance of dozing (3 points)
Watching television
		No chance of dozing (0 points)
		Slight chance of dozing (1 point)
		Moderate chance of dozing (2 points)
		High chance of dozing (3 points)
Sitting inactive in a public place
		No chance of dozing (0 points)
		Slight chance of dozing (1 point)
		Moderate chance of dozing (2 points)
		High chance of dozing (3 points)
Sitting for an hour as a passenger in a car
		No chance of dozing (0 points)
		Slight chance of dozing (1 point)
		Moderate chance of dozing (2 points)
		High chance of dozing (3 points)
Lying down in the afternoon to rest
		No chance of dozing (0 points)
		Slight chance of dozing (1 point)
		Moderate chance of dozing (2 points)
		High chance of dozing (3 points)
Sitting and talking to another person
		No chance of dozing (0 points)
		Slight chance of dozing (1 point)
		Moderate chance of dozing (2 points)
		High chance of dozing (3 points)
Sitting quietly after a lunch (no alcohol at lunch)
		No chance of dozing (0 points)
		Slight chance of dozing (1 point)
		Moderate chance of dozing (2 points)
		High chance of dozing (3 points)
Sitting in a car, stopped for a few minutes due to traffic
		No chance of dozing (0 points)
		Slight chance of dozing (1 point)
		Moderate chance of dozing (2 points)
		High chance of dozing (3 points)

 

Total Criteria Point Count:
 

 

ESS Interpretation

 

1 to 6 points:	Normal sleep
7 to 8 points:	Average sleepiness
9 to 24 points:	Abnormal (possibly pathologic) sleepiness

 

 

References

1. Johns MW. A new method for measuring daytime sleepiness: the Epworth sleepiness scale. Sleep. 1991;14:540-5. PubMed ID: 1798888