Polysomnography – A night in the sleep laboratory

What are sleep laboratories used for?

The most important examination that is usually performed at night in a sleep laboratory is called polysomnography. This is a diagnostic procedure for measuring various physiological functions during sleep. Among the physiological functions measured are brain activity, respiration, blood oxygen saturation and body movements.

The measurements are made via electrodes that are applied to the body, especially the head. Straps with sensors are placed around the chest and abdomen to measure respiration rate. Oxygen saturation is measured via a sensor on the index finger. Sometimes the patient’s behaviour during the night is also video-recorded.

Polysomnography provides information about the speed of falling asleep, the different sleep stages, and sleep…