Actigraphy
Actigraphy is based on small wristwatch-like devices that monitor the intensity of wrist movement, closely approximating whole body movements, for extended periods of time.
Validated computerized algorithms transform raw activity scores into Sleep-Wake scores and allow calculation of sleep variables such as
- Sleep efficiency
- Total Sleep Time
- Total Wake Time
- Sleep Latency
- Frequency and duration of nighttime awakenings
As wearing actigraphs day and night for long periods of time is well tolerated, actigraphy is a great monitoring tool within clinical trials. It can record information that is not captured with Polysomnography during a single night in the sleep laboratory and is particularly helpful when it comes to patients with sleep-wake rhythm disorders.