Actigraphy
Saratoga Sleep and Brain utilizes actigraphy to assess sleep-wake cycles.
Actigraphic devices are easy for children and adults to use at home, enabling us to gather objective data to understand their typical sleep timing and duration across multiple nights. We use actigraphy to assess sleep disorders, including chronic insomnia and circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders.
Actigraphic devices typically are worn on the wrist or ankle for sleep assessment. They use an accelerometer to record and integrate the occurrence and degree of limb movement activity over time. An ambient light sensor tracks exposure to sunlight. Mathematical algorithms are then applied to these data to estimate wakefulness and sleep. The premise is that there is less movement during sleep and more movement during wake.
We have routinely used actigraphy for over 20 years.
Actigraphy derived sleep-wake data:
Total sleep time
Percent of spent asleep
Total wake time
Percent of time spent awake
Number of awakenings
Uses of Actigraphy
Insomnia
Measure several days or weeks sleep patterns and compare objective actigraphy data to subjective sleep diary data
Mental Illness
Characterize the circadian rhythm disturbances accompanying psychiatric disorders
Circadian Dysrhythmias
Diagnose circadian rhythm disorders such as shift work, jet lag, and delayed sleep phase syndrome
Young and Frail
Evaluate sleep in infants and demented elderly who cannot tolerate a traditional sleep study
Narcolepsy
Record sleep with an actigraphy versus a sleep diary two weeks before an MSLT to test for narcolepsy
Treatment Effects
Assess the real-time treatment effects of drugs, light, CPAP, and TMS prescribed to improve sleep
Philips Actiwatch Spectrum Plus
Noninvasive
No wires or uncomfortable sensor attachments
Objective
Provides an accurate representation of sleep-wake patterns
Natural environment
Real-world sleep-wake data collected during everyday living for weeks
Wear it and forget it
Light, waterproof, and durable
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will I wear the Actigraphic device?
You will wear the actigraphic device for up to four weeks, depending on the reason for the study. If you remove it for any reason before your scheduled time, please record the removal and replacement time and date in your sleep diary. If the time and date of removal and replacement is an approximation, please note that in the sleep diary.
On what wrist do I wear the actigraphic device?
You should wear the Actigraphic device on your non-dominant wrist. For example, if you are right-handed, please wear the actigraphic device on your left wrist.
Can I get the Actigraph wet?
Yes. The actigraphic device is water-resistant, and you can wear it in the shower, bath, or swimming pool. The only restriction is that you cannot wear it in salt water (i.e., the ocean).
