Studies reveal that 50 million to 70 million people in the US are affected by sleep disorders. This is why sleep professionals are actively searching for tried-and-true techniques to assess sleep patterns and get accurate measurements for a proper sleep issue diagnosis.
Actigraphy is a convenient and minimally invasive method to measure sleep movements and behaviors to diagnose sleep disorders.
If you’re looking for an effective method to measure your patient’s sleep parameters, you need to invest in actigraphy devices.
Let’s take a look at how you can use actigraphy to detect sleep disorders.
How Are Actigraphy Devices Used
An actigraphy device looks just like a wristwatch. This device is worn by the patient on their wrist or ankle, and it doesn’t interfere with their everyday activities at all.
The basic components of an actigraphy device are:
- A data storage unit to store measurements
- An accelerometer to record movements
- A programmable timing mechanism
The data collection will go on for a few days and can take months, depending on the patient’s specific condition.
How Can an Actigraph Help You Assess Sleep Cycles?
An actigraph monitors, measures, and records sleep-wake cycles or circadian rhythms. The accelerometer in the actigraph records motion during the day and night. This information is stored in the storage unit and later used to create a graph.
The most common models of actigraph devices can take measurements up to 32 times per second. They detect every disruption and disturbance during sleep, and these are displayed on a graph.
The peaks or bars in a graph represent movement, and stillness is displayed as a still line.
What Kind of Sleep Disorders Can Be Detected with Actigraphy?
Actigraphy devices are typically used in conjunction with other tests to diagnose sleep disorders. Here are some sleep issues that can be detected with an actigraph.
- Insomnia
- Excessive daytime sleepiness (hypersomnia)
- Insufficient sleep syndrome
- Sleep-related breathing disorders
- Circadian rhythm sleep-wake disorders
Are you looking for top-notch actigraphy devices online? Visit our online store at Condor Instruments.
We offer a range of meticulously engineered and long-lasting actigraphy monitoring devices, including actiwatch alternatives, melanopic light sensors, melanopic EDI sensors, melanopic light loggers, melanopic EDI Loggers, and more.
Reach out to us now to place your orders!