The Sleep Center at BID-Needham performs a variety of diagnostic and treatment tests including:

Diagnostic Polysomnogram (PSG): Typically, this is an overnight in-laboratory recording. However, if you routinely sleep during the day or evenings, your testing hours can be customized as long as your physician makes arrangements in advance. The PSG records essential diagnostic data, including brain waves (EEG), muscle contractions/movements (EMG), eye movements (EOG), air flow in nose and mouth, breathing effort, pressure fluctuations in the nose, heart rate and rhythm (ECG), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), and body movements. No invasive procedures are used in our routine PSG tests.

Split Night PSG: If, during the first hours of your PSG, the data we collect strongly supports the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, then an air-tight, lightweight, rubbery nose mask that fits over your face, your mouth and nose, or nostrils will be applied. The therapy supplies the required air pressure of air required to prevent obstructions of your upper airway for the remainder of the PSG.

Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Titration Study: If a previous study demonstrated the diagnosis of sleep apnea, an airtight, lightweight, rubbery nose mask that fits over your face, your mouth and nose, or nostrils will be applied. This supplies air pressure to prevent obstructions of your airway, and the entire night is devoted to determining the minimum amount of pressure to prevent these obstructions. There are several types of air pressure therapy: continuous (CPAP), bilevel (BPAP), adaptive servo ventilation (ASV), and more advanced types of ventilation for respiratory failure. The sleep center provides both basic and advanced forms of titration studies. Study oversight is based on the needs of the patients, including on-site physician-directed studies for the most complicated patients. The BID-Needham Sleep Center has special interest and expertise in treatment-emergent ("complex") sleep apnea and treatment of sleep-related respiratory failure.

Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT): This test is conducted after an overnight in-laboratory PSG as part of diagnostic work-up for narcolepsy. The MSLT begins two hours after you wake up. You will then be encouraged to sleep five consecutive times, once every two hours.

Multiple wakefulness test (MWT): This is a variation of the MSLT, in which you will be instructed to stay awake sitting up in bed, rather than napping, every two hours. This test is sometimes required by transportation/aviation authorities to demonstrate capability of staying awake.

Home Sleep Testing (HST): A home sleep study utilizes a small portable device with limited recorded channels that can be used at home to diagnose obstructive sleep apnea. A belt is place around chest to monitor breathing. A finger sensor is worn to sense oxygen levels and pulse rate. A nasal cannula is placed under the nose to detect snoring and breath by breath blockages or partial blockages in the airway. Your physician can provide more information on whether this test would be appropriate for you. Home Sleep Testing is available for BID-Needham Sleep Center referrals through Neurocare Center for Sleep (with interpretation of the home sleep test by a BID-Needham Sleep Specialist).

Actigraphy: This technique uses small wrist-watch type devices that measure hand movement and is used to aid in diagnosis of body rhythm (circadian) disorders.

Melatonin Profile: Urine or salivary melatonin is measured to aid in diagnosis of body rhythm (circadian) disorders.