Alertness test

Khuman1 · Post by **Khuman1** » Fri Jun 03, 2005 8:53 pm

Hi all,

Anyone out there been through an alertness test ?? I have to take one next week and really don't know what it involves.

Thanks

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 8:51 am

Hi!

Just had one a week ago. If you use a PAP machine, bring it, along with your mask and favorite pillow (if you have one)... and bring something to keep you occupied: knitting, book to read, jigsaw puzzle, paperwork from the office, laptop computer, etc.

They wire you up like for a sleep study, then have you "nap" for 20 minutes at a time with a two-hour interval in between naps. They measure the type and depth of sleep you reach, as well as whether you sleep at all.

During the two hour intervals you can do whatever you want except exercize or sleep. You can watch TV (except the place where I was the TV's were too high to see unless you were lying down!), read, wander around the hospital, get something to eat, whatever you like. I had to be there at 7:30 AM and got out a little after 5 PM.

Oh! And bring a hat to cover some of the wires while you wander around - they leave them attached all day. When each test is done they disconnect a small control box where all the leads are plugged in and give you a little cloth shoulder bag in which to carry it with you. Be very careful when using the toilet! <LOL>

A very strange experience.

- JB

unclebob · Post by **unclebob** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 11:25 am

Hi JB,

Thanks for your post. I thought Khuman 1 was referring to the Epworth test. Can you tell us a little more about this - when is it done, why is it done etc as I have never heard about it.

Bob F

neversleeps · Post by **neversleeps** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 11:37 am

Is it one of these?

-MSLT: Fully attended Multiple Sleep Latency test, 4-5, 20 minutes naps, spaced 2 hours apart, starting 2-2.5 hours after the PSG test, to objectively assess excessive sleepiness and/or diagnose or rule out narcolepsy.

-MWT: Fully attended Multiple Wakefulness test, to assess alertness by daytime challenge tests, where the patient is instructed to stay awake in a darkened bedroom, while sitting-up in bed. This test is also repeated every 2 hours, starting 2 to 2.5 hours after a PSG, and repeated 4-5 times during the day.

ahujudybear · Post by **ahujudybear** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 7:07 pm

Yes. The sleep latency test is what I was talking about.

The goofy part of it is that they do it after the PSG test, and then summarize that you were sleepy because of the poor night's sleep you had the night before during the PSG test! Sounds like self-fulfilling prophesy to me.

(PSG = polysomnography test ......"Sleep study")

I guess the purpose is to rule out narcolepsy and to see how alert you are with the known mount of sleep you had the night before (from the PSG).

I hadn't heard about the other test. hahaha... no way could I do that one ... hmmm... unless I went into meditation mode.... <LOL> That'd mess up their readouts!

- JB

unclebob · Post by **unclebob** » Sat Jun 04, 2005 7:21 pm

Thanks for the info! Learn something everyday.

Bob F