Diagnostic Testing

Home Sleep Apnea Testing

Home Sleep Apnea Testing (HSAT) is a portable device worn at home during sleep to assess for Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).

A device-orientation appointment is typically scheduled where you will be shown how to properly wear the device at bedtime.  Testing occurs for one or two consecutive nights then is returned the next day for analysis.

A CSI sleep physician will carefully interpret your study, will meet with you to review the results in detail, and will discuss treatment options if indicated. During that visit you will be able to see your biometric data such as breathing, airflow, oxygen levels, sleeping position, and snoring.

The Colorado Sleep Institute is the only center in Boulder County accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to perform home sleep apnea testing.

In-Lab Overnight Sleep Testing

In-Lab overnight sleep testing or Polysomnography (PSG) is a diagnostic test performed in a sleep lab attended by a registered sleep technologist.

PSG may be used to diagnose some sleep disorders such as:

  • Sleep Disordered Breathing (Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Central Sleep Apnea, and Upper Airway Resistance Syndrome)
  • Narcolepsy
  • Parasomnias
  • Sleep-related seizure disorders
  • Periodic limb movements of sleep

A CSI sleep physician will carefully interpret your study and will meet with you to review the results in detail and will discuss treatment options if indicated. During that visit you will be able to see your biometric data such as brain waves, breathing, airflow, oxygen levels, sleeping position, body movements, and snoring.

It is recommended that a sleep specialist perform a comprehensive sleep evaluation prior to sleep testing to determine if an HSAT or PSG is appropriate.  

Our affiliate lab (through Boulder Community Health) is the only facility in Boulder County accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine to perform in-lab polysomnography.

Actigraphy

Actigraphy is increasingly used in sleep research and the clinical care of patients with circadian rhythm abnormalities. Actigraphy involves use of a portable device (usually a watch) that records movement over extended periods of time, typically 1 to 2 weeks.

According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, actigraphy provides an acceptably accurate estimate of sleep patterns in normal, healthy adult populations and inpatients suspected of certain sleep disorders. More specifically, actigraphy is indicated to assist in the evaluation of patients with advanced sleep phase syndrome (ASPS), delayed sleep phase syndrome (DSPS), and shift work disorder. Additionally, there is some evidence to support the use of actigraphy in the evaluation of patients suspected of jet lag disorder and non-24hr sleep/wake syndrome (including that associated with blindness).

Oximetry

Nocturnal pulse oximetry (NocOx) is a non-invasive test used to measure oxygen saturation during sleep.  A clip-on probe is placed on a finger and light is used to measure blood oxygen levels. For our purposes, oximetry may be used to confirm that oxygen levels have normalized with a treatment such as CPAP or oral appliance.