A Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) provides an objective measure of your tendency to fall asleep. At 2 hour intervals during the day you will be asked to lie down in a comfortable, darkened room, relax and try to take a 20-minute nap. We will record your brain wave activity (EEG) and determine if you fall asleep, how quickly sleep occurs, if you cycle through Rapid Eye Movement sleep, and how long you sleep. We will also ask you to report if you fell asleep and if you dreamt. Your MSLT will run from about 9 am to 4 pm (if you abide by a traditional sleep-wake schedule).
Some important things to remember before your MSLT
- Be sure to get an adequate amount of sleep for at least one week (preferably
- two) prior to the study (7-9 hours on a regular schedule)
- Do not use caffeine the day of the study (if you drink more than 2 caffeinated
- beverages per day then you will need to reduce your caffeine intake by 1
- caffeinated beverage per day in advance to ensure that you do not suffer from
- caffeine withdrawal headaches during your nap study
- Most medications do not interfere with the MSLT. If you are on any stimulating medications be sure to check with your referring physician to determine if they want to assess your alertness at baseline off stimulants or if they want to assess residual sleepiness on stimulants. Wean off of your stimulant medication gradually if your doctor has instructed you to do so. DO NOT DRIVE if you are off your stimulant!
- Bring all medications with you
- Bring lunch & a snack or money for lunch
- Bring relaxing reading material or a CD/MP3 player to occupy your time between naps