At a glance
- If you cannot fall asleep during a sleep study, tell the staff. This is common, and they can often help you settle.
- One difficult night does not usually invalidate the test, because sleep specialists can still learn a great deal from partial sleep data.
- Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and naps before the test unless your clinic has given you different instructions.
- If you are very anxious, ask in advance what to expect and whether you should take your usual medicines.
Short answer
If you cannot fall asleep during the study, try not to panic. This is very common, especially in an unfamiliar room with sensors attached. In many cases, the team can still collect useful information even if you sleep less than usual. Tell the technician if you are uncomfortable, anxious, cold, in pain, or need to use the toilet, as small adjustments may help. Follow the clinic’s instructions about medicines, caffeine, and your usual bedtime routine, and ask ahead of time if you are worried you may not sleep at all.
What to know
It is common to sleep differently in a sleep lab
Many people sleep more lightly than usual during a sleep study. This does not mean the test has failed. Sleep specialists often need only part of the night to detect important changes in breathing, oxygen levels, heart rate, limb movements, or sleep stages.
Tell the staff what is stopping you from sleeping
If you are struggling to fall asleep, the technician may be able to help by adjusting a loose sensor, improving room comfort, answering questions, or helping you feel more at ease. Common reasons for poor sleep include anxiety, noise, feeling watched, skin irritation from sensors, pain, or needing to use the bathroom.
Follow the pre-test instructions carefully
Before the study, avoid anything that can interfere with sleep unless your clinician tells you otherwise. This often includes coffee, strong tea, cola, energy drinks, alcohol, and daytime naps. If you usually take prescription sleeping tablets, anxiety medicine, or other regular medicines, do not stop or start anything unless the clinic specifically advises you to.
If you barely sleep, the study may need review or repeating
In some cases, if too little sleep is recorded, the clinician may recommend repeating the study or using a different type of sleep test. This depends on why the test was ordered and how much useful information was captured. If this concerns you, ask the clinic beforehand what they usually do in that situation.
When to seek medical advice
- Contact the clinic before the test if you have severe anxiety, panic attacks, significant pain, or questions about whether to take your usual medicines.
- Seek urgent medical advice if you have repeated episodes of stopping breathing during sleep, waking up gasping, severe daytime sleepiness while driving, or a sudden worsening of symptoms.
- Get prompt medical help if you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or a new neurological symptom such as weakness or confusion.
Continue reading
To learn more, read our broader article on what happens during a sleep study, including how to prepare and what the results may show. You can also explore our Examinations and Treatments Explained for Patients hub for clear guides to common tests and procedures.
Sources
NHLBI: Sleep Studies | MedlinePlus: Sleep Study | NHS: Sleep apnoea diagnosis
