When you arrive for your study a staff member will show you to your room and provide an explanation of the sleep study process. There may be a questionnaire for you to fill out. Then you will change into your sleep attire. The sleep technician will attach sensors to part of your body such as your scalp, forehead, chin, chest, ankle/leg and index finger. These sensors measure the activities of your brain, heart, lungs, and certain muscles as you sleep. The sensors are painless and are attached using a temporary adhesive / gel paste that is easily removed with soap and water. Unless your body hair is extremely thick on your legs or chest, you will not be required to shave. Elastic bands may also be placed around your chest and abdomen to measure your breathing. The sensors are connected by wires to a computer that records and stores data. The wires are small and long enough for you to move around in bed. After the wires sensors are applied you can watch television, read a book, or simply lie in bed until you are ready to fall asleep. If you need to use the restroom during night the sleep technician will discuss this procedure with you. The sleep technician will be situated at a separate work station which has various monitoring and recording devices which provide a full evaluation and report. If the technician becomes aware – from the data being collected and monitored – that you may have a severe sleep breathing disorder and may benefit from immediate therapy that involves airflow to your airway, they will awaken you to apply the therapy equipment. Once you fall back to sleep, data will be collected on how you sleep patterns respond to the therapy. How long it takes you to fall asleep is a part of the data that will be recorded.
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