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Bergen Insomnia Scale
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About Bergen Insomnia Scale
Scale Name
Bergen Insomnia Scale
Author Details
Pallesen, S.; Bjorvatn, B.; Nordhus, I. H.Sivertsen, B.; Hjørnevik, M. & Morin, C. M.
Translation Availability
Not Sure
Background/Description
The Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS) emerged in 2008 as a response to the need for a simple and reliable tool to assess insomnia severity. Developed by a team led by Ståle Pallesen, the BIS was built upon the official insomnia diagnosis criteria outlined in the DSM-4. This ensured the scale accurately captured the core aspects of insomnia.
The BIS is a self-report questionnaire with just six questions. Each question focuses on a specific sleep issue experienced in the past month, such as difficulty falling asleep or feeling tired during the day. Respondents rate the frequency of each issue on a scale ranging from “never” to “every night.” This format allows for a quick and easy assessment by both healthcare professionals and individuals themselves.
One of the key strengths of the BIS lies in its scoring system. Scores range from 0 to 42, with higher scores indicating greater insomnia severity. Importantly, established cut-off points guide interpretation. A score of 15 or above suggests insomnia, allowing healthcare professionals to determine if further evaluation is needed.
The BIS has established itself as a valuable tool in both clinical and research settings. Its brevity, reliability, and validity make it a convenient and effective way to screen for insomnia and track treatment progress. However, it’s crucial to remember that the BIS serves as a screening tool, and a formal diagnosis of insomnia should always come from a healthcare professional.
Administration, Scoring and Interpretation
- Ensure you have a copy of the BIS questionnaire, either printed or available digitally.
- Briefly explain the purpose of the BIS. You can say something like, “This short questionnaire will help us understand your sleep patterns over the past month.”
- Provide the participant with the questionnaire and allow them time to read and understand each question.
- If needed, clarify any questions they might have about the wording or the response scale (0-7).
Reliability and Validity
The Bergen Insomnia Scale (BIS) demonstrates good reliability and validity, making it a dependable tool for assessing insomnia severity. Here’s a breakdown of these aspects:
- Internal Consistency: Studies have shown high internal consistency, meaning the six questions within the BIS measure a single underlying construct (insomnia) effectively. Cronbach’s alpha, a measure of internal consistency, typically falls between 0.79 and 0.87 across different populations.
- Test-Retest Reliability: The BIS shows good test-retest reliability, indicating that scores remain stable over time when individuals complete the scale on separate occasions with a short time interval (usually weeks).
- Convergent Validity: The BIS scores correlate well with other established insomnia measures, suggesting it captures similar aspects of insomnia.
- Discriminative Validity: The BIS can effectively differentiate between individuals with and without insomnia. Studies have shown higher BIS scores in clinical populations diagnosed with insomnia compared to healthy controls.
Available Versions
06-Items
Reference
Pallesen, S., Bjorvatn, B., Nordhus, I. H., Sivertsen, B., Hjørnevik, M. A. R. I., & Morin, C. M. (2008). A new scale for measuring insomnia: the Bergen Insomnia Scale. Perceptual and motor skills, 107(3), 691-706.
Important Link
Scale File:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the BIS?
A short (6-question) self-report questionnaire to assess insomnia severity.
Who developed it?
A team led by Ståle Pallesen (et al.) in 2008.
How does it work?
Asks about sleep problems in the past month (difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, etc.). Scores each issue (0-7) for frequency (never to every night).
How is it scored?
Scores range from 0-42, with higher scores indicating worse insomnia. A score of 15 or higher suggests insomnia.
Is it reliable?
Yes, it shows good internal consistency and test-retest reliability.
Is it valid?
Yes, it correlates well with other insomnia measures and differentiates between insomnia and healthy sleep.
What is it used for?
Screening for insomnia, Monitoring treatment progress, and Research on insomnia.
Can it diagnose insomnia?
No, it’s a screening tool. A healthcare professional diagnoses insomnia.
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