About Sleep

Sleep Study Info

Do I need a sleep study?

If snoring is a problem or you are often tired, a sleep study may be required to assist in diagnosing the severity of up to 88 possible sleep disorders (http://www.absm.org/PDF/ICSD.pdf). About 1 in 3 people suffer from chronic sleeping problems. The most common sleep disorders are Sleep Disordered Breathing, such as Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA), and Movement Disorders, such as Periodic Limb Movement Syndrome (PLMS).

At least one follow-up sleep study is usually required to objectively determine the effectiveness of any treatment.

How much will it cost?

Please contact the nearest Home Sleep Studies Australia clinic for exact costs.

How do I book in?

Call Chris directly on 0414 337 864 or 1300 887 125. Please allow 30 mins for the set-up. You will be able to do most normal activities, including walking, eating and drinking, after being setup.

What do I do on the day?

1. Exercise and shower in the morning - you will not be able to shower after seeing the Sleep Technician. However, you will be able to continue most activities such as eating, working and walking.
2. Bring a singlet or t-shirt to sleep in and a shirt or jacket to cover the wires on your way home from the clinic.
3. Guys: please shave or trim the chest in the V-neck area.
4. Ladies: please remove bra, makeup or dark nail polish.
5. Set-up Appointment: takes about 30 mins
6. Follow your normal pre-bedtime routine, which may include medications and alcohol.
7. Please, no electric blankets or mobile phones near the bed.

What happens the morning after?

1. Remove all the sticky and disposable items (sticky electrodes, nasal airflow cannula, tape) and place in a rubbish bag.
2. Pack the sleep monitor, wires and rubbish bag into the black bag.
3. Return to the clinic the next day. If you are unable to do so, please arrange with the Sleep Technician for alternative arrangements or a courier to collect the items at your expense.
4. The sleep data will be sent to Home Sleep Studies Australia for reporting. If the data is not of sufficient quality (about 3% of studies), a repeat study will be offered.
5. The report will be sent to your requesting doctor or directly to you with treatment recommendations.

What will the report tell me?

The home sleep study reports the same important variables as any hospital sleep laboratory:

1. Arousal Index (AI) - a measure of sleep quality. Normal is less than 5 to 15 per hour.
2. Respiratory Disturbance Index (RDI or AHI) - how many times you wake up from snoring or no or poor breathing each hour. Normal is less than 5 per hour.
3. Periodic Limb Movement Index (PLMI) - how many times you twitch your legs each hour. Normal is less than 5 per hour.

What is the best treatment for Snoring and Sleep Apnoea?

The best treatment depends on the severity as reported by the sleep study:

Simple treatments

1. Sleep on the side - assisted by a thick, firm pillow or a tennis ball attached to the back with velcro or sewn into a pocket.
2. Lose weight - even 5kg can make a difference.

Prescribed treatments

1. Oral appliance fitted by a trained dentist (eg www.somnomed.com.au) - first choice treatment for snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnoea (RDI<30/hr).
2. CPAP - Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (eg www.resmed.com.au) - first choice treatment for mild, moderate and severe sleep apnoea (RDI>5/hr).
3. Surgery - discuss with your GP or dentist, especially if you are unable to breath through your nose or you need help losing weight.

Channels Recorded

1. Left forehead – EEG for detecting sleep stages and arousals
2. Right eye (above) – EOG for detecting Rapid Eye Movements in REM sleep
3. Left jaw – EMG for detecting jaw clenching, bruxism, awake and arousals
4. Left shoulder – ECG for detecting irregular heart beats
5. Right shoulder – ECG
6. Nasal airflow – For detecting reduced airflow which may cause arousals
7. Body position (taped to chest) – Snoring and breathing disorders are worse in the back position for about 50% of patients
8. Chest movement – For differentiating between obstructive and central apnoeas
9. Abdominal movement – For differentiating between obstructive and central apnoeas
10. Right hand finger – For detecting dips in arterial blood oxygen saturation levels which indicates poor breathing
11. Left foot – Movement sensor for recording restless or periodic leg movements which may delay sleep and/or cause arousals during sleep
12. Right foot

Ready for bed

Leg sensors taped onto feet and leads onto knees.

About Us

Home Sleep Study Studies Australia was formed in July 2006 to provide an affordable and accessible home sleep study service. All reports are hospital quality, fully diagnostic and signed off by a Sleep and Respiratory Physician (if request by a doctor). The company is majority owned and operated by Chris Bunney (B Appl Sc (Swinburne), M Appl Fin (Macquarie)), who is a sleep scientist with 14 years experience. With Melbourne-based Compumedics Ltd, he set-up sleep laboratories all over the world and worked with some of the world's leading sleep researchers on major projects including The Sleep Heart Health Study*. Chris also has a background in sports science, with a research interest in fatigue and human performance.

* This study has become one of the definitive studies linking cardiovascular disease with sleep apnoea with over 6000 people in the USA studied in their homes over 3 years.