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Services Sleep and Wake Disorders Center Sleep Study FAQ
Services Sleep and Wake Disorders Center Sleep Study FAQ
Sleep Study Frequently Asked Questions
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A sleep study, known as a polysomnogram, is an overnight test in which a number of bodily activities are simultaneously recorded during sleep to help determine the cause of a sleeping problem. Does the test hurt? Can I bring my own pillow? How is my privacy protected? How do I get the results of my study? What To Expect During a Sleep StudySleep studies are painless. The polysomnogram (PSG), multiple sleep latency test (MSLT), and maintenance of wakefulness test (MWT) usually are done at a sleep center. The room the sleep study is done in may look like a hotel room. A technician makes the room comfortable for you and sets the temperature to your liking. Most of your contact at the sleep center will be with nurses or technicians. You can ask them questions about the sleep study. They can answer questions about the test itself, but they usually can't give you the test results. What To Expect During a PolysomnogramSticky patches and sensors called electrodes are placed on your scalp, face, chest, limbs, and a finger. While you sleep, these sensors record your brain activity, eye movements, heart rate and rhythm, blood pressure, and the amount of oxygen in your blood. Elastic belts are placed around your chest and abdomen. They measure chest movements and the strength and duration of inhaled and exhaled breaths. Wires attached to the sensors transmit the data to a computer in the next room. The wires are very thin and flexible and are bundled together so they don't restrict movement, disrupt your sleep, or cause other discomfort. If you have signs of sleep apnea, you may have a split-night sleep study. During the first half of the night, the technician records your sleep patterns. At the start of the second half of the night, he or she wakes you to fit a CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) mask over your nose and/or mouth. The mask is connected to a small machine that gently blows air through the mask. This creates mild pressure that keeps your airway open while you sleep. The technician checks how you sleep with the CPAP machine. He or she adjusts the flow of air through the mask to find the setting that's right for you. At the end of the PSG, the technician removes the sensors. If you're having a daytime sleep study, such as an MSLT, some of the sensors may be left on for that test. Parents usually are required to spend the night with their child during the child's PSG. During a Multiple Sleep Latency TestThe MSLT is a daytime sleep study that's usually done after a PSG. Sensors on your scalp, face, and chin usually are used for this test. These sensors record brain activity. They show various stages of sleep and how long it takes you to fall asleep. Sometimes your breathing also is checked during an MSLT. A technician in another room watches these recordings as you sleep. He or she fixes any problems with the recordings that occur. About 1.5 to 3 hours after you wake from the PSG, you're asked to relax in a quiet room for about 30 minutes. The test is repeated four or five times throughout the day. This is because your ability to fall asleep changes throughout the day. You get 2-hour breaks between tests. You need to stay awake during the breaks. The MSLT records whether you fall asleep during the test and what types and stages of sleep you have. Sleep has two basic types: rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM. Non-REM sleep has three distinct stages. REM sleep and the three stages of non-REM sleep occur in patterns throughout the night. The types and stages of sleep you have during the day can help your doctor diagnose sleep disorders such as narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia. During a Maintenance of Wakefulness TestThis sleep study occurs during the day. It's usually done after a PSG and takes most of the day. Sensors on your scalp, face, and chin are used to measure when you're awake or asleep. You sit quietly on a bed in a comfortable position and look straight ahead. Then you simply try to stay awake for a period of time. An MWT typically includes four trials lasting about 40 minutes each. If you fall asleep, the technician will wake you after about 90 seconds. There usually are 2-hour breaks between trials. During these breaks, you can read, watch television, etc. If you're being tested as a requirement for a transportation- or safety-related job, you may need a drug-screening test before a MWT. During ActigraphyYou don't have to go to a sleep center for this test. An actigraph is a small device that's usually worn like a wristwatch. You can go about your normal routine while you wear it. You remove it while bathing or swimming. The actigraph measures your sleep–wake behavior over 3 to 7 days and nights. Results give your doctor a better idea about your sleep habits, such as when you sleep or nap and whether the lights are on while you sleep. You may be asked to keep a sleep diary while you wear an actigraph. What To Expect After a Sleep StudyOnce the sensors are removed after a polysomnogram (PSG), multiple sleep latency test, or maintenance of wakefulness test, you can go home. If you used an actigraph or a home-based portable monitor, you'll return the equipment to a sleep center or your doctor's office. You won't receive a diagnosis right away. Your primary care doctor or sleep specialist will review the results of your sleep study or sleep studies. He or she will use your medical history, your sleep history, and the test results to make a diagnosis. It may take a couple of weeks to get the sleep study results. Usually, your doctor, nurse, or sleep specialist will explain the test results and work with you and your family to develop a treatment plan.
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