When Being Awake and Alert Are Critical
Maintenance of Wakefulness Test
In some cases, evaluating the treatment of a sleep disorder requires measuring how easy or difficult it is for someone to stay awake. The maintenance of wakefulness (MWT) test measures how well someone is able to keep themselves awake while sitting still in a dark, quiet room.
MWTs are also performed as part of medical approvals for apnea sufferers in safety-critical professions, such as pilots, and as part of clinical trials for medications that are designed to combat daytime sleepiness.
What Is a Maintenance of Wakefulness Test?
A maintenance of wakefulness test is a day-long study usually performed the day after an overnight sleep study. It consists of several sleep trials spread throughout the testing day.
During each trial, you’ll be asked to sit or lie comfortably in a dark, quiet room and stay awake. Sensors will measure your ability to stay awake. If you do fall asleep, you’ll be awakened after only a few minutes of sleep. If you don’t fall asleep, the trial will end in about 40 minutes.
What Is a Maintenance of Wakefulness Test Used to Diagnose?
Unlike most other tests, the MWT is typically not diagnostic. Rather, it is normally used to assess the effectiveness of a treatment, either for a clinical trial or to demonstrate treatment effectiveness for individuals in safety-critical professions, such as pilots and heavy equipment operators.
What Can I Expect During a Maintenance of Wakefulness Test?
As stated above, your MWT may follow an overnight sleep study. Once your sleep study is completed and you’re awake, your MWT will begin.
Your MWT will take an entire day. Aside from the times you’ll spend undergoing sleep trials, you’ll be able to occupy yourself however you see fit – read, work, bring a hobby project, etc. – so long as you stay awake.
Every two hours, you’ll be asked to sit or lie comfortably, and the lights will be turned off. You should try to stay awake as long as possible without moving, speaking, or doing anything else. Sensors attached to your head, face, and chin will record how long you’re able to stay awake.
Each sleep trial will end when:
- You fall asleep (you’ll be woken up after about 90 seconds)
- You make it for the complete 40 minutes without falling asleep
Most MWTs consist of four sleep trials.
After Your Maintenance of Wakefulness Test
Once your last sleep trial is completed, your sensors will be removed, and you’ll be free to go. Our team will evaluate your results and contact you with your next steps.
Let Sleep Practitioners Help You Get Better, Restful Sleep.
Contact your primary care physician for a referral, or contact us for more information.
