Discrepancies between self-reported and device-measured sleep parameters in adults with multiple sclerosis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Sleep Medicine
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Sleep disturbances are a prevalent issue for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS).
• Limited research exists on the concordance between objective (device-measured) and subjective (self-reported) sleep data in this population.
• Accurate sleep assessment is vital for managing MS symptoms and overall well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the agreement between self-reported and device-measured sleep parameters in adults diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
• To quantify discrepancies in key sleep metrics such as total sleep time, sleep onset latency, and awakenings.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 49 adults with multiple sclerosis participated in the study.
• Participants completed a 7-day sleep diary for self-reported sleep data.
• A wrist-worn ActiGraph GT3×+ device was used for 7 consecutive nights to objectively measure sleep parameters.

Main Results:

• Significant discrepancies were observed between self-reported and device-measured total time in bed, sleep onset latency, and frequency of awakenings.
• Intraclass correlation coefficients indicated poor agreement for most sleep parameters, with the exception of total time in bed (ICC = 0.80).
• Bland-Altman analyses revealed acceptable agreement for total time in bed and total sleep time, but significant proportional bias was detected for sleep onset latency, number of awakenings, and sleep efficiency.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights notable differences between subjective and objective sleep measurements in adults with multiple sclerosis.
• Findings underscore the importance of utilizing both self-report questionnaires and objective device measurements for a comprehensive understanding of sleep in this population.
• Integrating both data types is recommended for accurate sleep assessment and management strategies in multiple sclerosis care.