What Is Actigraphy Sleep Testing?

Actigraphy is a sleep test you wear on your wrist, like a watch. It records how you move over days or weeks. Sleep doctors use it to see when you sleep and when you are awake.

What is actigraphy?

Actigraphy uses a small device you wear on your wrist. It looks like a fitness tracker. Nothing goes inside your body. You simply wear it like a watch.

The device tracks when you sleep and wake over a long time. It also helps your doctor check your body clock (circadian rhythm). And it shows how well your treatment is working.

What does it measure?

• Rest and activity — When you rest and when you are active, day and night
• Sleep and wake times — When you fall asleep and when you wake up
• Sleep length — About how long you sleep
• Sleep efficiency — How much of your time in bed you spend asleep
• Body clock — The pattern of your body clock

When do doctors use it?

Actigraphy is most useful for body clock problems and insomnia. Your doctor may use it:

• Body clock problems — To check for circadian rhythm disorders (when your body clock is out of step)
• Insomnia — To look at your insomnia patterns
• Treatment check — To see how well treatment is working
• Before a nap test — Before a daytime nap test (MSLT)