A MSLT is performed in patients with complaints of excessive sleepiness. It measures the sleep latency (time it takes to fall asleep) which is used to measure physiological sleepiness, and what stage of sleep you enter into during each nap.
The PSG portion of the study is performed to exclude any alternative contributors to excessive sleepiness, such as obstructive sleep apnoea, and to ensure adequate sleep overnight.
Overall, the test takes up to 24 hours.
Admission is usually at 6:30pm and we aim to have you discharged before 6pm the following day. The physiologist will keep you informed throughout the day if there is any likelihood of a delayed discharge.
We ask that you attend your clinic appointment on time to ensure there is no delay to your normal routine.
Please come with clean hair. Make up, nail polish, and acrylic nails will need to be removed prior to the test as this will affect the signals. Please bring comfortable clothes or pyjamas for sleeping in, as you won’t be able to change out of these until the MSLT is complete.
Please refrain from caffeine and alcohol on the afternoon of the test.
We recommend you bring something to help you wind down in the evening, such as a book, and something to keep you busy during the MSLT portion of the test.
Do avoid making work commitments as this may interfere with the nap times.
There is a television and Wi-Fi in the room, although we ask that you use these within reason as we do not want to compromise the quality of your sleep.
The data is analysed by the physiologist. Once completed, our sleep consultant will interpret and report the results. The final report will be returned to the referring doctor within 10 days of completion. A follow-up consultation is advised with your referring doctor to discuss any findings.
