Multiple Sleep Latency Test - Typical Procedure

Typical Procedure

Preparation: On the day of the test the patient is asked not to consume any stimulants, such as tea, coffee, colas, and chocolate.

• Often a formal sleep study has been performed the night before.
• Sometimes urine screening is done to make sure no substances exist in the subject's body that might interfere with sleep.
• The patient may be asked to fill out a pre-test questionnaire.
• Electrodes are attached to the patient's head to record brain waves.
• Electrodes are attached by the eyes to record eye movement.
• Electrodes are attached to the chin to detect muscle tone.
• Heart beat may also be monitored.
• The patient is asked to perform simple tasks to test that the equipment is working properly.
• The patient is asked to nap for 20 minutes, and then is awakened.
• The nap process is repeated every 2 hours for a total of four or five times.
• The patient may be asked to fill out a post-test questionnaire.

A clinical neurophysiologist, neurologist or sleep specialist will review the results and inform the patient or the patient's primary care physician of the interpretation of the test result in the context of the clinical problem.