Polysomnography — PSG
A sleep study that records several body systems at once, which may include brain waves, eye movements, muscle activity, breathing, oxygen levels and other signals according to the test protocol.
Sleep AssessmentUnderstand your sleep quality for a more complete view of your health
Sleep is not only about the number of hours — it also involves the quality of rest, breathing during sleep and how the body functions at night.
If you sleep poorly, wake often, snore, feel sleepy during the day or wake up unrefreshed, a sleep assessment can add information about your sleep patterns and related factors.
ZENITH Neuro Wellness offers sleep assessments for adults, choosing the type of test based on your symptoms, health history and individual suitability.
Why enough sleep may still not be good sleep
Some people spend many hours in bed yet still wake up tired, sleepy or unrefreshed.
During sleep, several things can happen without our awareness — such as abnormal breathing, repeated brief awakenings or changes in certain physiological signals.
A sleep assessment adds information you cannot get from how you feel after waking alone. Sleep testing can provide information on
- Sleep patterns during the recording
- Breathing during sleep
- Oxygen levels, depending on the type of test
- Heart rate, depending on the system used
- Snoring and breathing events
- Movement or other physiological data, depending on the type of test
The data recorded varies with the type of test and equipment used.
What is a sleep test?
Assessing how your body functions while you sleep
A sleep test records physiological data during sleep, and what is measured depends on the type of test. It may be used to support the assessment of sleep-related breathing disorders or certain sleep problems as indicated. Common types include
Home Sleep Apnea Test — HSAT
A home test for certain adults with symptoms or risk of obstructive sleep apnea, recording breathing and related signals depending on the device used.
Choosing PSG or HSAT depends on symptoms, health history and clinical indications — not every test suits everyone.
What can a sleep test assess?
- Breathing during sleep — assesses breathing patterns and related events, depending on the system used
- Oxygen levels — some devices record blood oxygen during sleep to help assess breathing events
- Heart rate — records pulse or heart signals, depending on the type of test
- Snoring — some systems can record or assess snoring-related data
- Sleep patterns and stages — polysomnography combines several systems to assess sleep stages and night-time awakenings
- Movement during sleep — some tests record body or limb movements, depending on the purpose of the assessment
What is actually measured depends on the type of sleep test and the equipment chosen.
Who might consider a sleep assessment?
An assessment may be considered for adults with symptoms or concerns such as
Regular snoring
Especially loud snoring, or when someone notices abnormal breathing during sleep
Pauses in breathing or gasping during sleep
These should be assessed further to identify related causes
Heavy daytime sleepiness
Even after sleeping long enough
Waking up unrefreshed
Feeling that sleep does not let your body fully rest
Frequent night-time waking
Especially when ongoing or affecting daytime life
Concerns about sleep quality
Wanting more information about your own sleep patterns
These symptoms have many possible causes and do not always mean a person has sleep apnea.
The sleep assessment process
01
Sleep and health history
We gather information on your sleep patterns, night-time and daytime symptoms, health history, medications and other relevant details.
02
Choosing the test
The type of sleep test is chosen by symptoms and suitability — in a testing facility or at home when indicated.
03
Equipment setup
Sensors and devices are fitted for the type of test, and signal quality is checked.
04
Recording during sleep
The device records physiological data throughout the set period.
05
Analysis and review
Recorded data is considered together with your history, symptoms and relevant health information.
06
Care planning
If findings warrant further assessment, next steps are considered based on your symptoms and indications.
How is a home sleep test different from a sleep lab study?
Home Sleep Apnea Test — HSAT
Suitable for some adults with symptoms and risk of obstructive sleep apnea who do not have certain health conditions requiring more detailed testing. It records sleep in a familiar environment, but the data it captures is more limited than polysomnography.
Polysomnography — PSG
Records more body systems and can provide detail on sleep stages, breathing, movement and many physiological signals according to the protocol used.
The AASM recommends both PSG and HSAT as options for diagnosing obstructive sleep apnea in adults without certain complicating conditions who show signs of risk. If HSAT is negative, inconclusive or technically inadequate, polysomnography may be needed.
Not every sleep problem needs a sleep test
Insomnia can have many causes, and a detailed sleep history is a key part of the assessment.
Polysomnography is not a routine test for everyone with insomnia, but it is indicated in some cases — for example when a sleep-related breathing disorder or certain movement disorders are suspected.
So choosing a test should start with the question “What do we need to learn about your sleep?” rather than giving everyone the same test.
Research Evidence
Sleep testing is backed by clinical guidelines
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) publishes clinical practice guidelines for assessing, diagnosing and managing sleep disorders, developed from systematic evidence reviews using the GRADE process to rate evidence quality.
Polysomnography — the standard method for assessing many sleep disorders as indicated, providing data from several physiological systems during sleep.
Home Sleep Apnea Testing — the AASM states HSAT can be used as an alternative to polysomnography in adults without certain complicating conditions who show signs of risk for obstructive sleep apnea, but it should not be used for general screening of people without symptoms, and automated analysis alone should not drive medical decisions.
Sleep affects your health more than you feel in the morning
Sleep involves many systems in the body, so assessing a sleep problem may mean considering other information as well, such as
- Brain Health — concentration, memory and daytime functioning
- Respiratory Health — breathing, snoring and events during sleep
- Lifestyle — bedtime, work, exercise, caffeine and daily habits
- Stress & Mental Wellbeing — stress and emotional factors that may relate to sleep
- Medical History — health history, medications and related physical conditions
This information places your sleep assessment in the context of your overall health.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What does a sleep test measure?
It depends on the type of test. It may record breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, snoring and movement — plus brain waves and sleep stages in the case of polysomnography.
Do I have to sleep at the clinic?
It depends on the type of test. Some assessments can be done at home, while others require more detailed equipment and recording.
Should everyone with insomnia have a sleep test?
No. Insomnia has many causes, and the choice of test depends on your history, symptoms and indications.
Does snoring mean I have sleep apnea?
Not always. Snoring can occur without obstructive sleep apnea, and some people with sleep apnea have other symptoms, so further assessment is needed.
If a home test is normal, does that rule out sleep apnea?
An HSAT result should not be relied on alone in every case. If it is negative, inconclusive or insufficient but clinical suspicion remains, polysomnography may be considered.
Is the test painful?
Sleep tests generally use external sensors to record data and are non-invasive.
Start understanding the quality of your sleep
If you snore, wake during the night, feel sleepy in the day, wake unrefreshed or have concerns about your sleep quality, ask us about a sleep assessment to find the test that suits your symptoms and health information. The choice of test depends on each person's history, symptoms and indications, and results should be considered together with relevant health information.
