Sleep Study FAQs

Before the Study
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You should arrive around 8pm. You should bring pajamas or comfortable clothing to wear (you must wear sleep-clothing during the test). The technicians will show you to your room to get settled in. Each room in the Wyndam Hotel Sleep Lab is just like a normal hotel room, and each has a private bathroom. You will be allowed to watch TV if you wish, until around 11 or midnight. The reason we need the TV off is that the sound makes it difficult to monitor your test from the control room. The technician will apply sensors to your scalp, face, chest, and limbs to measure your brain waves, breathing, heart rate, oxygen, muscle activity and eye movements. Nothing goes inside, nothing hurts, and there are no blood or other tests that occur. It takes 30-40 minutes to apply the sensors. You will be able to shower in the morning to remove any remaining adhesive from the recordings.

How should I prepare?

Please click here for our information sheet.

Is parking available?

Yes. You can park at the MGH main parking lot, which is 2 blocks from the Wyndam Sleep Lab. The charge is 10$ for parking there. If you need assistance walking from the parking lot to the lab, please proceed to the information desk at the MGH front entrance (next to the parking structures). Public transportation is also nearby, with the closest red-line stop being Charles-MGH, which is approximately four blocks from the Wyndam.

During the Study
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Will I be able to walk around?

Yes. The wires and sensors connect to the wall through a single cord – your technician can disconnect you by this one cord, and keep everything else in place. This way you can easily walk to the bathroom in the night if you need to.

Can I leave early?

If you need to wake up earlier than about 6am for any reason (such as work schedule), let the lab know when you schedule, or let the technician know on the night of the study so they can accommodate you.

Can I drink coffee or alcohol the day of my study?

You should avoid alcohol on the night of the study, and avoid caffeine if possible (or limit to the morning only) to reduce the chance of having difficulty sleeping in the lab. If you feel that you are too sleepy to drive yourself to the lab without caffeine, please arrange to have a ride to the lab.

What if I want to stop the test?

You can stop the test at any time by alerting the technician. You are monitored from the control room at all times by our staff, and there is a two-way intercom to let the technician know of any problems you may have.

What if I can't sleep?

Many patients are concerned they won’t sleep well in the sleep lab. We try to make the night as quiet and comfortable as possible in the Wyndam Hotel bedrooms. We usually obtain sufficient information to evaluate your sleep even if you don’t sleep as well as home.

Will I wear a mask during this test?

There are two kinds of tests where you wear a mask. In one case, we start off with the mask, for patients who already have a diagnosis of sleep apnea from a prior test night. In the other case, we start off with monitoring only (no mask), and then watch the breathing patterns to decide if we see enough apnea to wake you up in the middle of the study to try on a mask.

I take a sleeping pill - should I take it the night of the test?

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, you should take your usual medications. We are not able to administer medications, so please bring any night-time medications with you. If you take medications for sleep every night, it can be difficult to sleep if you abruptly stop them – it is important to speak with your doctor about how to proceed.

How many studies will I need?

For some patients, a single test gives all of the information needed for your care. This can happen when 1) there is no evidence of sleep apnea, 2) there is enough sleep apnea to warrant a trial of CPAP therapy on the same night and it is a successful trial. Other patients need a second study. This can happen when 1) there is insufficient data from the first night (which happens uncommonly), 2) if there is sleep apnea but there was insufficient time to try a mask, 3) there is sleep apnea but the mask trial was inconclusive, 4) there was sleep apnea but complex apnea was seen when the mask trial was attempted.

In some cases, a third study is needed. For example, if a patient is found to have mild apnea, then the mask is not tried on the first night. If they return for a mask study a few weeks later, and they have inconclusive results with the mask or they have complex apnea, we may suggest a return to the lab.

Can I bring someone else with me?

You may have a family member accompany you, but they cannot sleep in the bed with you. We have cots available for use through the Wyndam.

Will there be breakfast provided?

We provide coffee/tea in the rooms. We do not provide breakfast or room service through the hotel.

Can I take a shower?

Yes, each room has a private full bathroom with shower.

After the Study
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How long does it take to get results?

Although our goal is to have full interpretations available within 2 weeks, it sometimes can take longer than this.

Who will tell me the test results?

The doctor who referred you for the sleep study will tell you the results. The sleep lab staff who conduct the testing overnight are not able to give you a medical interpretation of your results.

I’ve had a sleep test that showed sleep apnea – how do I get the equipment?

If you and your doctor decide that CPAP or BiPAP is to be used, your doctor will send a prescription for the equipment to a company that will contact you to arrange delivery to your home. They will show you how to set up the equipment, which parts to clean, how to fill the water chamber, and so forth.