What to Expect
When you arrive at the clinic, you will meet the technologist who will be present during your study. Your technician will show you to your home-like, private bedroom where you will change into your sleeping attire. The technician will then begin applying the monitoring devices, which take approximately 45 minutes.
Several small sensors will be placed on your scalp, face, chest, abdomen, and legs. These sensors will monitor your eye movements, brain waves, muscle activity, heart rate, airflow, respiratory effort and oxygen level throughout the night. After the technologist finishes applying the electrodes, you will have a chance to relax before bedtime. You are welcome to bring a book or reading material.
A registered technologist will oversee the recordings during the course of the night from an adjoining control room. You will sleep in a private bedroom and are able to get us as much as you’d like throughout the night to use the restroom. In the morning, you will be discharged between 6-7 am. Our staff will do everything possible to make you comfortable during your stay in our facility. If you have any questions about the procedure, feel free to ask the technologist.
How Should I Prepare?
- Please shower and wash your hair before coming to the center or the morning of your test. Do not use excessive hair spray, oils or gel on your hair; keep makeup to a minimum.
- No alcohol, caffeine, or sleeping medications for 8 hours prior to the test.
- Eat meals as usual.
- Take medications as instructed by your physician.
- Bring medication(s) taken at bedtime or during the night unless otherwise instructed.
- Bring nightclothes, toiletries, and reading material. Shower facilities are available.
- Bring your pillow if you think this will make your night more comfortable.
- Avoid taking naps on the day of your study.
- Avoid drinking lots of fluids before the study.
- If you are scheduled for the Multiple Sleep Latency Test (nap study), please bring breakfast, lunch, or snacks. A refrigerator and microwave are available. You may also bring reading material or something to keep yourself busy in between the naps.
What to Expect After Your Sleep Study
If the sleep study takes place on a weeknight, most people get up the next day to go to work as usual. Most people don’t experience much interference with their sleep. However, some people may experience poor sleep and may want to plan on taking the following day off.