Definition - What does Stanford Sleepiness Scale mean?
The Stanford Sleepiness Scale (SSS) is an assessment guide that can be used to determine a person's degree of sleepiness or alertness. The scale consists of seven descriptive statements which individuals may use to self-rate their condition. The statements are progressive in nature with level 1 indicating that person feels fully alert and level 7 representing the final stage before sleep.
SureHire explains Stanford Sleepiness Scale
The Stanford Sleepiness Scale does not precisely measure an individual's level of wakefulness. Instead, it provides a subjective rating based on the individual respondent's feelings about his or her state. A person who reports feeling alert and wide awake is at level 1 on the scale. At level 4 the scale describes the person's state as being foggy and not at peak alertness. The turn toward falling asleep begins at level 5. The SSS is sometimes used to determine whether a person is experiencing daytime drowsiness or other symptoms of sleep deprivation. Regular self-assessments throughout the day can also help an individual determine when they are experiencing periods of drowsiness.
