This test is usually performed to check Continuous Postive Airway Pressure (CPAP) compliance or to ensure optimal treatment of sleep apnea. This test is most commonly requested by doctors for patients who are required to have a CDL license renewed by the Department of Transportation (DOT) or another agency that has their employees operating large equipment. A MWT is a series of 4 controlled sessions approximately 40 minutes long every 2 hours.
During the session, the patient sits upright in a darkened room and tries to remain alert. The parameters recorded will help determine the patient’s level of alertness.
A standard MWT records the following parameters:
- EEG (Electroencephalogram) – monitors brain activity to identify sleep stages
- EOG (Electrooculogram) – records eye movement
- EMG (Electromyogram) – records muscle activity for monitoring muscle tone
- EKG (Electrocardiogram) – monitors heart activity