3 Questions Before an Actigraphy Home Sleep Study
Sleep & NighttimeArticleKnow what the device estimates and how to record your routine.
Ask the sleep service to show you the device’s controls before taking it home. Keep its instructions beside the diary or recording sheet supplied for your study.
Three questions for the service
- How long should I wear it? The schedule varies. Ask for your start and return dates and any rules about removing the device. The North Bristol service pairs its device with a diary and asks patients to record removals. Follow the instructions for your own device.12
- What belongs in the diary? Ask how to record sleep times, daily activities and missed recordings. Some devices use an event button at bedtime and waking; get a demonstration of yours.2
- What can the results establish? Movement-based estimates can overestimate sleep when a person lies still. Consumer devices vary in accuracy by model and software version, so ask whether your own tracker data are useful for the clinical question.3
Check the plan for other tests
If actigraphy is preparation for an overnight study or daytime testing, keep those instructions together. Any medicine reductions or changes should follow the consultant’s directions. Contact the service if that plan is unclear.2
Ask who will interpret the recording and how you will receive the result. Write any problem with wearing or operating the device into the record you return.
Did I Do That in My Sleep? covers topics including snoring and night waking. See the book for its overview, and bring device-specific questions to the sleep service.
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It isn't a substitute for diagnosis or treatment from a qualified healthcare professional who knows your health history. Please don't ignore professional advice or delay getting care because of something you read here. If you think you may be having a medical emergency, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. Girl Playbook does not endorse any specific product, test, or provider.
Girl Playbook sells this book. It provides education and worksheets, not individualized medical care.
Sources
The research behind this article, in the order it’s cited. How we source our articles.
- American Academy of Sleep MedicineA patient’s guide to understanding Actigraphy for the Evaluation of Sleep Disorders and Sleep-Related Body Clock Disorders (opens in a new tab)ab
- North Bristol NHS TrustActigraphy leading into an overnight polysomnography (with MSLT) (opens in a new tab)abc
- American Academy of Sleep MedicineStaying current with actigraphy devices for sleep-wake monitoring (opens in a new tab)↩
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