If you have the symptoms of sleep apnea, your doctor may recommend that you participate in an overnight sleep study.  You may take one or more sleep tests, including a polysomnogram, an MSLT, or an MWT. The results of your sleep study will be interpreted by an American Board of Sleep Medicine-certified physician.

What is a Polysomnogram Sleep Study?

Polysomnograms (PSGs) consist of a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist collecting information about movements, breathing, heart rate, snoring and other events during a sleep study.  The Sleep Apnea Specialty Centers’ board-certified physicians interpret results from this type of sleep test and create an in-depth medical report to help determine treatment options.

What is MSLT Sleep Study?

An MSLT is a multiple sleep latency test. This type of sleep study assesses your level of daytime sleepiness.  MSLTs are often recommended for potential narcolepsy and are usually conducted during the day (following an all-night sleep study).  This particular sleep study involves five 20-minute nap sessions, two hours apart; between naps, you will be asked to stay awake.

What is an MWT Sleep Study?

Maintenance of Wakefulness Tests (MWTs) are designed to assess your level of daytime alertness.  An MWT will show sleep study administrators whether you are able to stay awake for a certain amount of time (generally around 40 minutes).  This type of sleep study will be conducted in a dim, quiet room, and you will be required to sit peacefully with no activity for 40 minutes.  In an MWT sleep study, there are four wakefulness trials with two-hour breaks in between.

If you have questions about participating in a sleep study or would like more information on sleep apnea, please contact the Sleep Apnea Specialty Centers.