What to Expect from a Sleep Study

Prior to your Visit:
As part of your sleep evaluation at Comprehensive Sleep Care Center, we ask each patient to fill out a sleep disorders questionnaire prior to your appointment. This will provide us with a general idea of the quality and quantity of sleep you get on a regular basis. Click here to download a PDF of our New Patient Form.

How to prepare for your polysomnogram (PSG):

You will be provided with information regarding your appointment for your polysomnogram. This information will include time and location of appointment. In preparation for your sleep evaluation, please read the following instructions carefully.

• Avoid napping the day of the study.
• Avoid alcohol, caffeine, sedatives and stimulants for 24 hours, unless otherwise directed by your physician.
• Eat your regular evening meal before you arrive to the Comprehensive Sleep Care Center. Notify us in advance of any special dietary needs.
• On the day of the study, make sure that your hair is free of oil, hair spray and other products.
• Bring your regularly scheduled medications and plan to take them as you normally would unless your physician instructs otherwise.
• Bring comfortable sleep attire (avoid silk).
• Bring your sleep questionnaire and sleep log along with a list of your regular medications, including dose strength and dosing schedule.
• If you are using positive airway pressure therapy (CPAP/BILEVEL), bring your mask.
• If you are under 16 years of age, a parent or guardian is required to stay with you in the Comprehensive Sleep Care Center for the entire duration of your testing.
• Notify us if you have a disability that requires special assistance. You may be required have a caregiver present during testing.

If you are unable to keep your appointment or if have an upper respiratory infection causing significant nasal congestion, contact the Comprehensive Sleep Care Center at (703) 729-3420 at least 48 hours in advance to avoid the $100.00 cancellation fee.

How to prepare for Daytime Sleep Testing/Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT)/ Maintenance of Wakefulness Test (MWT)

A MSLT/MWT is a daytime nap test used to evaluate daytime sleepiness. You will have sensors placed on your head, chin and around your eyes to record sleep activity. Over the course of the day, you will be given four or five trials. In preparation, please read the following instructions carefully.

• Eat normally the night before and the morning of the study.
• Wear comfortable clothing.
• On the day of the study, make sure that your hair is free of oil, hair spray and other products.
• Bring your regularly scheduled medications and plan to take them as you normally would unless your physician instructs otherwise.
• Bring reading materials or other activities to occupy free time.
• Avoid alcohol, sedatives, stimulants and caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea and cola) for 24 hours before the study.
• Check with your physician regarding any changes in medications.
• Avoid naps, smoking and physical exertion on the day of the test.
• If you are under 16 years of age, a parent or guardian is required to stay with you in the Comprehensive Sleep Care Center for the entire duration of your testing.
• Notify us if you have a disability that requires special assistance. You may be required have a caregiver present during testing. 

If you are unable to keep your appointment or if have an upper respiratory infection causing significant nasal congestion, contact the Comprehensive Sleep Care Center at (703) 729-3420 at least 48 hours in advance to avoid the $100.00 cancellation fee.