Polysomnogram
A “sleep study,” also called a polysomnogram, is a noninvasive test that records your physical state during various stages of sleep. It provides essential data to evaluate sleep and sleep-related complaints and problems, such as identifying sleep stages, body position, blood oxygen levels, respiratory events, muscle tone, heart rate, eye movement, brain waves, amount of snoring and general sleep behavior.
Home Sleep Apnea Test ( HSAT)
A home sleep apnea test may be requested to evaluate you for sleep apnea. This test is performed in your own home without the presence of a sleep technologist. There are fewer sensors used than with a sleep study. Consequently, less information is obtained, resulting in a less accurate test than a sleep study; however, this test is usually sufficient to evaluate for sleep apnea.
Split Night Study
If you are being tested for sleep apnea, you may undergo a “split-night“ study, in which half the night will be used to diagnose your sleep problem, and the other half will be used to determine the best way to treat the problem. Or you may be asked to return for another sleep study to help determine the best treatment for you.
Home Sleep Apnea Test ( HSAT)
A home sleep apnea test may be requested to evaluate you for sleep apnea. This test is performed in your own home without the presence of a sleep technologist. There are fewer sensors used than with a sleep study. Consequently, less information is obtained, resulting in a less accurate test than a sleep study; however, this test is usually sufficient to evaluate for sleep apnea.
Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)
This test objectively determines your degree of sleepiness. On the day following an overnight sleep study, you will be asked to take four or five naps over an 8 – 10 hour period. Each nap period lasts about 20 minutes. During these nap periods, you will be closely monitored, as you were during your sleep study
Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT)
This test measures your ability to stay awake. It consists of four nap opportunities, each lasting 40 minutes. During the nap period, you will be asked to try to stay awake. Most people without excessive sleepiness remain awake during these nap periods.
Actigraphy
For this test, a device called an actigraph is worn on the wrist like a watch. Signals are recorded when movement is detected. There are few to no signals recorded during sleep or inactivity. This can provide information about periods of rest/sleep activity. The device may be worn for several days or weeks if needed.