We understand that a sleep study can be a daunting process for some patients and do our best to put patients at ease during their sleep study.
Our 6-bed facility caters to a range of patients and needs. Each of our 6 single patient rooms has a private ensuite, with toilet and shower facilities, and includes streamed television service and free Wi-Fi.
Our sleep service performs studies seven nights a week and perform in-home diagnostic and treatment studies.
What is a sleep study?
A sleep study is a comprehensive test that measures and records what your body does when it’s asleep. It measures the electrical activity of the brain, some specific muscles in the face and legs, heart rate, breathing, oxygen levels and snoring.
It is used to determine wake and sleep, as well as patterns of breathing and limb movements while you are asleep.
Sleep studies can help diagnose sleep disorders.
Learn about sleep disorders
Narcolepsy is a rare neurological disorder where the part of the brain that controls falling asleep functions abnormally.
Insomnia is a sleep disorder that causes people to have difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
Parasomnias are sleep disorders of arousal from sleep. The most common parasomnias include sleep talking, sleep walking and night terrors.
Restless leg syndrome (RLS) is a nervous system condition characterised by unpleasant sensations in the legs and the uncontrollable urge to move them.
Sleep apnoea is a common condition that is characterised by periodic cessations or reductions in breathing during the night.
How does a sleep study work?
A sleep study is usually performed in a hospital or clinic environment, although home sleep studies are also available when suitable.
A sleep scientist applies multiple electrodes, wires and probes to your body, from your head, all the way down to your legs.
The electrodes and wires do not hurt but they may be uncomfortable, as they are attached to a central monitoring box that limits your ability to move from the bed without assistance.
Types of sleep studies
The main two types of sleep studies are:
- diagnostic
- therapeutic
Diagnostic studies
Most patients having their first sleep study will undergo a diagnostic sleep study. We want to see what your body does when it’s asleep.
You will have electrodes and wires applied and then sleep as normal.
Therapeutic studies
A therapeutic sleep study - usually a CPAP study - is similar to a diagnostic study in that you will have electrodes and wires applied to your body but you will also use a therapeutic device (usually CPAP or MAS device) that we will use to improve your sleep quality.
Overnight, attending sleep scientists will remotely alter the settings on the device to find the right setting to ensure a better quality of sleep.
Daytime sleep studies
In some circumstances, your physician may refer you to stay after your sleep study for a daytime sleep study, which assesses your levels of sleepiness during the day.
Daytime sleep studies come in two varieties:
- Multiple sleep latency test (MSLT) - you have the opportunity for four or five naps during the day. It assesses how quickly you can fall asleep when you have the chance.
- Multiple wakefulness test (MWT) - you sit in a dark room and attempt to stay awake for as long as you can. It assesses how resistant you are to falling asleep.
Level 5 East
300 Grattan St, Parkville, Victoria