Self-report measures of insomnia in adults: rationales, choices, and needs.

Self-report measures continue to provide key information in the evaluation and treatment of insomnia. While knowledge development about insomnia continues to require multi-trait, multi-method studies, self-report measures remain central in most study designs. The available stock of insomnia-related questionnaires has a substantial heterogeneity in their formats, foci, scopes, and other attributes. While there may be benefits from using specially tailored questionnaires in particular circumstances, in other cases the information quality of a study will be downgraded by poor choice of questionnaires. To assist clinicians and investigators in selecting questionnaires wisely, the present paper reviews questionnaire criteria and attribute priorities for clinical trials, theory tests, observational studies, and aging studies concerning insomnia. An extensive table of currently available questionnaires is provided, and some needs for future questionnaire development are also identified. Copyright 2003 Elsevier Ltd.