Introduction to Sleep Testing

This chapter provides an overview of sleep testing performed inside or outside the sleep laboratory. The chapter reviews the classification of sleep studies and methodology of in-lab polysomnography and home sleep apnea testing. Specifically, the indications for and relative contraindications and limitations of both procedures are discussed. Positive airway pressure (PAP) titration procedures are reviewed and the PAP-NAP, an abbreviated daytime study for patients with sleep apnea and PAP intolerance or hesitancy, is described. The authors also discuss the methodology of, indications for, and interpretation of the multiple sleep latency test and the maintenance of wakefulness test, which are daytime studies performed to evaluate excessive daytime sleepiness. Finally, the role of actigraphy in the evaluation of sleep disorders is discussed.