The MGH Sleep Disorders Testing Unit provides an eight-bed state-of-the art diagnostic center for testing outpatients in a safe and comfortable environment.
Patients seeking our services typically suffer from sleep disorders such as:

insomnia
narcolepsy
nocturnal seizures
parasomnias
restless legs syndrome
sleep apnea

Facilities

The unit provides comfortable procedure rooms for overnight outpatient diagnostic testing. The Unit is adequately staffed to efficiently and safely deliver both routine and complex diagnostic sleep studies called Polysomnograms (PSGs). Testing for children (under 18) and challenged adults is performed in the main hospital on Bigelow 12. For more information, please call (617) 724-7426.

Overnight Testing

Polysomnogram
A PSG is a multiple-component test, which electronically records specific physical activities during sleep. The recordings become data, which will be "read" or analyzed by a qualified physician in concert with referral notes and self-report sleep questionnaires to determine what type(s) of sleep disorder(s) is (are) present. There are four types of PSGs:

Neuro-Diagnostic PSG is typically ordered to diagnose nocturnal seizures or various parasomnias. The study records additional EEG channels that aid in the diagnosis.

Full Night PSG without Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) titration is to diagnose mild sleep disordered breathing.

Split Night PSG with CPAP titration is a PSG conducted when moderate or severe sleep apnea has been discovered or strongly suspected during the first part of the night’s study. The second half of the night is recorded with a trial of CPAP/Bi-Level respiratory support.

Diagnostic Daytime Multiple Sleep Latency Test (MSLT) is used to diagnose narcolepsy and measure the degree of daytime sleepiness. To ensure accurate results, it is performed on the morning following a Full Night PSG.

Daytime Testing

Multiple Sleep Latency Test
MSLT is particularly useful in diagnosing narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnolence, and objectively quantifying the degree of sleepiness in other patients, such as OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) patients who are still sleepy despite CPAP treatment.

The MSLT is designed to measure the degree of sleep tendency or sleepiness in a given patient. This test is conducted during the day following a routine PSG with a series of five naps recorded, each lasting usually less than 30 minutes, timed to start every two hours during the day.
The testing procedure for an MSLT utilizes only a few EEG, chin EMG, and eye movement recording electrodes along with snoring monitor and oximetry. During the periods between naps, the patient must remain awake.

CPAP Clinic
The CPAP clinic, for MGH sleep study patients only, is open during daytime hours to make fitting adjustments and to help desensitize patients to their home health equipment. Patient education for using their equipment is also available.

Autopap and Oximetry
Instruction in autopap home trial or all night oximetry at home is available. Used for further assessment of sleep disordered breathing at home, these tests allow data to be gathered with most efficient used of lab personnel and equipment.

Appointments

Physicians should call (617) 724-7426 to make an appointment and/or send a requisition by fax to (617) 724-6513.

Referrals

Referrals are accepted from PCPs and other specialists by calling (617) 724-7426. We require a completed Sleep Study Requisition form which can be downloaded as a PDF. Please print, complete and fax to (617) 724-6513.

Location

MGH Sleep Disorders Unit
Department of Neurology
5 Blossom Street
Boston, MA 02114
Located at the Holiday Inn Select at Government Center

News

MGH Hotline: Sleep disorders testing expands to Holiday Inn
http://www.massgeneral.org/pubaffairs/Issues2007/020207Sleep.htm