FAQs About MSLT

When you have an MSLT, first you have an Overnight Sleep Study followed immediately the next morning by the daytime MSLT.  You will arrive at the sleep center in the evening for your Overnight Sleep Study and remain at the sleep center until 5pm the next day for the MSLT.  You will spend up to 20 hours at the sleep center for the Overnight Sleep Study followed by the MSLT.  First you will have the Overnight Sleep Study, ending about 6 am.  You will stay at the sleep center and then start the MSLT about 8 am continuing to about 5 pm.

The MSLT is a test designed to measure how sleepy you are.  Generally, physicians use the MSLT to rule out narcolepsy and help identify the cause of daytime sleepiness.  The test is a series of naps where we measure how long it takes you to fall asleep.  MSLT stands for Multiple Sleep Latency Test.  “Multiple” means there are multiple naps.  “Sleep Latency” is how long it takes you to fall asleep.  The test has a series of up to 5 short naps throughout the day.

Yes.  When you have an MSLT, first you have an Overnight Sleep Study followed immediately the next morning by the daytime MSLT.  The Overnight Sleep Study will start between 9 pm and 10:30 pm and will continue to about 6 am the following morning.  The MSLT will start immediately following the sleep study, usually beginning at 8 am and continuing until 5 pm.   In some limited cases, the MSLT may finish as early as 3 pm. 

Please bring food with you for your MSLT or arrange to have it delivered to you.  We do not provide food during the MSLT test.  We suggest you pack a cooler with sandwiches or other food and bring it with you.  You can also have someone drop food off for you or have food delivered.  Please avoid caffeine the day before the Overnight Sleep Study and the day of the MSLT.

For entertainment, we provide free wi-fi and cable TV.  You are welcome to bring a wi-fi capable device.

You will have an Overnight Sleep Study followed by the MSLT. 

For the Overnight Sleep Study, please wear two-piece pajamas (separate top & bottom). Undergarments do not qualify as pajamas (such as men’s boxers) and shorts or sleeping pants must be worn.  Even though you may have a favorite night gown or prefer to sleep au naturel, two-piece pajamas are a must for the comfort of the technician performing your study and the need to attach electrodes and leads in various positions (around your waist and legs, etc.).

For the MSLT, you will continue wearing the same clothing as during the Overnight Sleep Study. 

Here are some examples of appropriate, two-piece pajamas to wear for the Overnight Sleep Study and the MSLT: 

You can schedule your Overnight Sleep Study and your MSLT yourself using our online scheduler.  If you do so, please make sure that you schedule the Overnight Sleep Study one night and the MSLT at the same location the next day.  You can also call us and our customer service representative will be happy to help you!  Our phone number is (877) 775-3377.

Yes – Please see the FAQs About In-Center Sleep Studies, that also apply to the MSLT.  Here’s the link: FAQs In-Center Sleep Studies