Reliable Assessment of Sleep Disorders using the Structured Clinical Interview of Sleep Disorders-Revised (SCISD-R)
Focused Projects Grant for Junior Investigators
REBECCA CAMPBELL, PHD
ARIZONA BOARD OF REGENTS, UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA
Key Project Outcomes
This project successfully evaluated the reliability of the Structured Clinical Interview for Sleep Disorders-Revised (SCISD-R), a diagnostic tool used to identify sleep disorders. However, standardized and well-validated diagnostic tools for sleep disorders have been underdeveloped compared to other mental health assessment areas. To address this gap, we analyzed 100 SCISD-R interviews independently rated by trained evaluators.
The results were encouraging. Raters showed high agreement (83% to 100%) across sleep disorders. Using Gwet’s agreement coefficient we found high agreement for insomnia, circadian rhythm disorders, restless leg syndrome, and nightmares, as well as adequate reliability when screening for sleep apnea. These findings suggest that trained clinicians and researchers can use the SCISD-R to assess sleep disorders consistently. This is important because reliable diagnostic tools help ensure patients receive accurate diagnoses and appropriate treatment.
Beyond the research findings, this grant significantly advanced Dr. Campbell’s career trajectory and professional development. She completed specialized training in R programming and psychometric analysis techniques. The grant, along with the productivity it enabled, strengthened Dr. Campbell’s competitiveness on the academic job market, contributing to her successful recruitment to a tenure-track position at Bowling Green State University.
Findings were shared through presentations at the Associated Professional Sleep Societies annual meeting and at the University of Arizona College of Medicine’s “BSMinar” series. A manuscript detailing the results is currently being prepared for submission.
This work provides preliminary data and methodological expertise that positions Dr. Campbell well for future grant applications, including an R15 application currently in development, and contributes to ongoing efforts to improve sleep disorder diagnosis.