Polysomnogram (PSG)

What is a Polysomnogram (PSG)?

If you have been scheduled for a sleep test, your doctor may suspect that you have a sleep disorder. Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi offers different types of sleep studies, which use state-of-the-art technology to accurately diagnosis sleep disorders and provide you with the best treatment.

If it is suspected that you have a sleep disorder, your doctor will recommend carrying out a sleep study. Sleep studies can either take place in hospital, (polysomnogram), or at home - a home sleep test. Your doctor will recommend the best test for you based on your individual needs and clinical requirements. A polysomnogram, or PSG, is a type of sleep study that allows medical teams to monitor you while you sleep. It is a non-invasive, overnight exam done in the hospital that will record multiple body movements and functions during your sleep, with the aim of diagnosing a range of sleep problems. A PSG measures a variety of functions including brain activity, eye movement, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood, heart rhythm, breathing rate and rhythm, the flow of air through your mouth and nose, snoring, muscle movements, and chest and abdomen movement. The data produced is then evaluated by a doctor and used to diagnose sleep problems, including:

• Sleep apnea, where an adult stop breathing for periods of 10 seconds or longer during sleep
• Snoring.
• Problems staying awake
• Problems falling asleep and staying asleep at night (insomnia)
• Problems sleeping during the day due to shift working patterns. This sleep problem is called shift work sleep disorder 
• Conditions such as periodic limb movement disorder, which is repeated muscle twitching of the feet, arms or legs during sleep
• Problems such as sleepwalking, night terrors or bed-wetting

The Day of your Polysomnogram

• Please go to the Emergency Department, located on the ground floor on the night of the study to register and check in for the test. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment time.
• Pack overnight sleeping garments for the study.
• Make sure you have eaten dinner prior to the sleep study. If you feel like you might get hungry throughout the procedure, please bring a small snack with you.
• Please refrain from applying any hair care products (e.g. hair gel, hair spray) prior to the study as these will interfere with the recordings.
• Please do not consume any caffeinated food or drinks such tea, coffee, cola and chocolate, at least 6-8 hours before your scheduled appointment. Do not drink alcohol or take stimulants or sedatives on the day of the test. You should not take a nap on the day of the study. Take your usual medications at home. If you have any medications which will make you sleepy, please bring them to the hospital with you. No mobile phone usage is allowed during the test. Please be on time for your appointment, otherwise it will need to be rescheduled.

Note: Please notify the call center if you will be late for your appointment. The grace period is 30 minutes only, due to the time constraints of the test.

During your Polysomnogram A technologist will greet you at your appointment time and show you to your bedroom. Your vital signs will be taken. Once you are settled in your room, you will change into your bedclothes and complete some questionnaires related to your sleep. The sleep technologist will apply electrodes and sensors. This process takes 1 1.5 hours. After the sensors are in place, you will be able to walk around your room. For the PSG study, small pads or patches called electrodes will be placed on your head and body with a small amount of paste and tape. Please note that the paste washes off easily after the test. Soft elastic belts will be placed around your chest and abdomen to measure your breathing. Your oxygen levels will be checked by a small clip oximeter placed on the tip of your index finger The electrodes, elastic belts and oximeter are designed to be as comfortable as possible and should not make it hard to sleep. At the beginning of the test, your technician will ask you to follow some instructions, such as blinking your eyes, moving your legs and holding your breath. This is done to make sure the equipment is working correctly. During the night, a technologist will be available to assist you as needed. You will need to stay in the sleep lab overnight, and sleep from six to eight hours. When you are ready and the equipment is working correctly, the lights will be turned off, and you can go to sleep. You will not be able to use your mobile phone from this time. The procedure will finish at around 6:00am - 6.30am and you will be discharged if no additional tests are ordered. If a daytime testing (MSLT) is also scheduled, then the testing will continue until around 5pm the next day.

After your Polysomnogram

• From the control room, you will hear a soft voice telling you that the procedure is done and the technologist will come in and remove the electrodes. This process takes about 20 minutes
• After your sleep study is complete, you will be given a morning questionnaire to complete
• You have the option to take a shower before being discharged. Shampoo and towels will be provided
• A technologist will review your discharge instructions with you

After the procedure

• From the control room, you will hear a soft voice telling you that the procedure is done, and the technologist will come in and remove the electrodes. This process takes about 20 minutes
• After your sleep study is completed, you will be given a morning questionnaire to complete
• You have the option to take a shower before being discharged.
• A technologist will review your discharge instructions with you

Polysomnogram Test Results

Results will be available after 1 week when you will be requested to have a follow-up appointment with your doctor who will discuss your results with you.

If you need a hard copy of the result, please contact the HIMS (Hospital Information Management System) department, located on Level P1, seven working days after the testing. 

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi at 800 8 CCAD (2223), extension # 41054 (during daytime) or to 19064 (during nighttime).