Svefnskrá

Svefnskrá is a term in Icelandic that refers to a sleep diary or sleep registry used in clinical and research settings to document sleep patterns over a period of time. The word combines svefn (sleep) and skrá (register). It is typically employed to gather information about an individual’s sleep in a structured way.

The main purpose of a svefnskrá is to help clinicians assess sleep disorders, such as insomnia or circadian rhythm disturbances, and to monitor the effects of treatments or lifestyle changes. By recording daily sleep habits, it supports the evaluation of sleep timing, duration, continuity, and perceived sleep quality, as well as daytime symptoms and functioning.

A svefnskrá is usually kept in paper form or digitally. Common data collected include date, time going to bed, estimated sleep onset latency, number and duration of awakenings, wake time, total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and subjective sleep quality. Other entries may note daytime sleepiness, caffeine or alcohol use, exercise, medications, stress, and any factors that might influence sleep. Some users also incorporate standardized questions or scales for daytime functioning.

In clinical practice, svefnskrá is often used alongside objective measures such as actigraphy or polysomnography to provide a fuller picture of a person’s sleep. The diary can aid interpretation of device data and guide treatment decisions, including cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) or pharmacological approaches. While useful, the reliability of a svefnskrá depends on consistent and accurate daily reporting.

See also: sleep diary, actigraphy, insomnia, circadian rhythm sleep disorders.