What if I Can’t Sleep During a Sleep Study?

What to Expect During a Sleep Study 

A sleep study helps sleep specialists gather information about a person while they sleep. The test typically evaluates a range of sleep-related metrics, including sleep stages, partial or total pauses in breathing, total sleep time, and how long it takes to fall asleep. 

Sleep studies also measure bodily functions such as heart rate, oxygen levels in the blood, and leg movements to help identify sleep apnea, narcolepsy, or restless legs syndrome.

Sleep studies may occur at a person’s home or in a sleep center under the supervision of a health care provider. A person typically undergoes a sleep study at a time that aligns with their usual sleep schedule. 

Because sleep studies evaluate a person’s typical sleep quality, they are generally full-night procedures. For a sleep study performed at a sleep center, a person must get at least two hours of sleep Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source for enough data to be gathered.

At a sleep center or hospital, a technologist places electrodes on a person to record body functions and sleep variables. Cameras may also record a person’s movements while they sleep. 

For an at-home sleep study, a person uses a monitoring device that records sleep data, often for several nights. Before falling asleep, they connect electrodes to themselves based on their doctor’s instructions. 

How to Prepare for a Sleep Study

It is important to know how to prepare for a sleep study to ensure accurate results, whether you complete the study at home or in a sleep center.

On test day, keep alcohol and caffeine consumption Trusted Source National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) The NHLBI is the nation's leader in the prevention and treatment of heart, lung, blood and sleep disorders. View Source to a minimum, as they can affect your sleep. For a nighttime study, it is best to stop drinking alcohol and caffeinated beverages before lunchtime. If you are undergoing a daytime study, avoid caffeine for several hours before your scheduled test.

Also, try not to nap Trusted Source Medline Plus MedlinePlus is an online health information resource for patients and their families and friends. View Source on the day of your test. Napping can make it more difficult to fall asleep for your sleep study. 

Your provider may also tell you to avoid using hair and skin products like makeup, gels, or lotions on the day of the sleep study. These products can affect how the electrodes gather data while you sleep. 

If sleeping at a sleep clinic, pack a bag that includes any items you use as part of your usual bedtime routine. For example, you might bring a book, cozy pajamas, and a favorite blanket. Pack your toothbrush, hairbrush, change of clothes, water bottle, and anything else you might need before bed or in the morning. 

Finally, discuss any questions with your health care provider at least a day or two before your test. If you are currently using any medications or supplements, be sure to ask whether you should continue taking those leading up to your sleep study. Your health care provider may also be able to offer suggestions for a successful sleep study.

What to Do if You Can’t Sleep During a Sleep Study 

Although laboratory sleep studies typically take place in an environment conducive to quality sleep, you still might find it challenging to fall asleep or stay asleep in a new place. Several strategies can help ensure you get the sleep you need for an accurate sleep study. 

You can speak with a technologist at any point during the monitoring process. They can offer suggestions or ask for assistance from a sleep specialist or your doctor to help you get to sleep. In some cases, sleep specialists at the lab might offer you a sedative Trusted Source UpToDate More than 2 million healthcare providers around the world choose UpToDate to help make appropriate care decisions and drive better health outcomes. UpToDate delivers evidence-based clinical decision support that is clear, actionable, and rich with real-world insights. View Source if you have trouble sleeping. 

Your health care provider might ask you to return for another study if they did not get enough data to evaluate your sleep. If you did not schedule your first study during your typical sleeping hours, you should align your next visit with your usual sleep schedule. 

If an in-lab sleep study did not work for you, you could also ask your doctor if you can complete an at-home sleep study instead. Obstructive sleep apnea can often be diagnosed this way, but the diagnosis of other sleep disorders requires in-person sleep studies. At-home sleep studies can be challenging if you are uncomfortable sleeping with electrodes on your body, but you may sleep better in your own sleep space. 

Tips to Help You Sleep During a Sleep Study 

Getting enough sleep for an accurate sleep study is important. You can try a few things to help yourself fall asleep and stay asleep.

• Ask about sleep medications: If you typically experience insomnia at home or are anxious about the study, consider asking your doctor about taking sleep medication before your test to help you fall asleep. Be sure to only take what your health care provider prescribes or suggests, as some medications can interfere with the accuracy of your results.
• Avoid electronics: With both at-home and in-lab sleep studies, avoid using electronic devices if you cannot sleep. The blue light from screens can interfere with your ability to fall back to sleep. Also, try not to look at a clock Trusted Source National Library of Medicine, Biotech Information The National Center for Biotechnology Information advances science and health by providing access to biomedical and genomic information. View Source . Doing so can aggravate you when you are having trouble sleeping, which can further postpone sleep. 
• Use relaxation techniques: Try deep breathing by inhaling slowly, holding your breath for a few seconds, and exhaling slowly and mindfully. Progressive relaxation may also help you fall asleep or get back to sleep after waking. Start at your head or feet, tightening and relaxing one group of muscles at a time throughout your whole body. 
• Maintain your routine: Stick to your bedtime routine as much as possible, whether you’re sleeping in a sleep center or at home. For example, if you usually shower, get dressed, and brush your teeth, follow that same routine before your sleep study. 
• Wind down: Read a book or listen to calming music to prepare for bedtime. Also, avoid exercise and other stimulating activities for at least two hours before bed.
• Don’t try too hard: Often in a lab study, a sampling of sleep in different stages and postures, rather than a perfect eight hours of sleep, is enough to make a good