Sleep studies and other diagnostic testing services are the first steps toward effective sleep disorder treatment. At The Valley Hospital's Center for Sleep Medicine, the process begins with a consultation with one of our board-certified sleep medicine physicians. Or, your personal physician may order a sleep study for you.
Types of Sleep Testing
Based on physician orders, sleep testing may be performed either at the sleep center (attended in-center testing) or at home (unattended testing).
In-Center Testing
- Polysomnogram (PSG). This test records several different things that are involved with sleep: breathing, heart rhythm, blood oxygen level, muscle tone and brain waves. PSG is done while you sleep. Sensors will be attached to you to measure these factors, and video monitoring while you sleep will assess for excess movements such as restless legs. Depending on your situation, you may be given a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask during the test to see if it improves your sleep.
- CPAP/BIPAP titration sleep study. This type of study is a PSG during which air pressure is applied with either a face mask or nasal mask and is adjusted to eliminate sleep problems such as apnea or snoring. CPAP is continuous positive airway pressure, BIPAP is bilateral positive air pressure.
- Split-night study with CPAP or BIPAP. This type of study is a PSG in which the first part of the night is monitored without CPAP or BIPAP, and the second portion is conducted with the application of CPAP. CPAP or BIPAP will be introduced at some time during the PSG, based on your physician’s orders and/or your condition during the test.
- ASV (adaptive Servo ventilation) titration. This type of test is a PSG during which a specialized type of air pressure is applied for the treatment for certain types of sleep apnea, such as central sleep apnea and complex sleep apnea.
- AVAPS (average volume assured pressure support) titration. This type of study is a PSG in which a specialized type of air pressure is applied for the treatment of respiratory insufficiency, such as in obesity hypoventilation syndrome, COPD and neuromuscular disorders.
- Oral appliance therapy titration. This testing is used to make precise adjustments to oral appliances to allow for best results from their use.
- MSLT (multiple sleep latency test). This type of sleep test is performed during the day after a night PSG study. Sleep recordings are made during a series of tests during the day. You will be asked to provide a urine sample for drug screening to make sure that your sleep results aren’t affected by any medications other than your usual prescription drugs.
- MWT (maintenance of wakefulness test). This test measures how well you can stay awake during the daytime.
- Supplemental oxygen titration. This type of testing may be performed during any of the tests listed above as needed, based on your doctor’s order or meeting certain clinical criteria.
- End tidal or transcutaneous CO2 monitoring. This is done to measure the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) you breathe out.
- PAP management visit. This visit is used to help patients who are starting to use a PAP therapy device. It includes patient education, introduction to using the mask and help with getting the mask fitted properly. Problems with using the mask can be addressed as well.
Home Testing
- Home sleep apnea test (HSAT). This type of test uses a portable monitor to measure and record your breathing, heart rate, blood oxygen level and breathing effort while you sleep at home, to diagnose sleep apnea. The device is returned to the sleep center the next morning, where the data accumulated during the test is downloaded and evaluated.
- WatchPAT. In this test, a portable monitor that uses a finger-based device is used to diagnose sleep apnea and/or evaluation the oxygen level in blood overnight. The monitor is returned to the sleep center the next morning, where the data accumulated during the test is downloaded and evaluated.
- Actiwatch. This test uses a small wristwatch-type sensor that monitors sleep patterns and circadian rhythms. (Your circadian rhythm is basically a 24-hour internal clock that is running in the background of your brain and cycles between sleepiness and alertness at regular intervals. It's also known as your sleep/wake cycle.) The wrist device is worn for 14 days and collects data during that time. On the 15th day, the device is returned to the sleep center.
- Sleep profiler. In this test, a portable EEG (electroencephalogram) monitor is used to measure brain activity during sleep. The test is usually done for two nights in a row. The device is returned to the sleep center after the final night.
