A daytime multiple sleep latency test is often done following an overnight sleep study.
The test begins about two hours after awakening in the morning, and usually continues to late afternoon or early evening.
The test is painless and takes about seven hours to complete. It is not a treatment, but a single test that contributes to your patient's total medical evaluation.
The multiple sleep latency test will records a patient's brain waves or EEG, heart rate or EKG, muscle activity and eye movements. These signals are recorded on a graph, which is then reviewed by a sleep medicine specialist.
This test is used to document the presence and severity of daytime sleepiness, as well as to detect sleep architecture abnormalities associated with narcolepsy.
During the daytime hours your patient will sleep in a comfortable and quiet private room while data is collected through the application of electrodes. The electrodes are applied with tape or a liquid, around the eyes, under the chin, and on the shoulders.
The electrodes and monitoring equipment are similar, but less extensive than those used in the all-night polysomnogram.
After the electrodes are applied, the patient is asked to lie down and sleep. The lights will be turned off when the technologist leaves the room and the recording will begin. Technologists and nurses are in continuous attendance to meet any comfort or medical needs that may arise.
Patients will be monitored for about 20 minutes every two hours. The technologist will then ask the patient to stay up until the next nap time. Between sleep times patients are free to read, write letters, watch television, or have a visitor.
To schedule a multiple sleep latency test for a patient, please call the Sleep Medicine Center at 314-362-4342.
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