Do you also have trouble falling asleep at night? Or do you wake up feeling tired and uninspired? Sometimes we don't remember exactly how long we slept or how many times we woke up during the night. At times like these, today we are going to talk about a special, and very simple test that can help you know exactly your sleep pattern . This is called actigraphy .
What is Actigraphy?
Simply put, Actigraphy is a method of measuring your body's activity and rest . This measurement is done with a small device that looks like a watch and is worn on your wrist or ankle. We call this device an `Actigraph`.
If you have trouble sleeping, your doctor may have you wear an Actigraph for a few days or two weeks. During this time, the device records your every movement. The doctor will then analyze the data to try to identify the cause of your sleep problems.
Usually, a doctor will tell you to keep a sleep diary. That means writing down things like the time you go to bed and the time you wake up. But sometimes we forget to remember to write them down. That's where this Actigraph comes in handy. It records this information for you. But sometimes, your doctor may also advise you to keep a sleep diary while wearing this device.
What does this Actigraph device measure?
This device mainly measures your movements. That is, how much you move during the day and at night. The doctor can understand a lot from this data.
The important thing is that this device does not directly measure “sleep.” Instead, it identifies the time without movement, that is, the time when you are still, as “sleep.” It is by looking at these patterns of movement and stillness that it comes to a conclusion about your sleep cycle.
| Measured information | Description |
|---|---|
| Bedtime | You can know exactly when you went to bed at night and fell asleep. |
| Night awakenings | It records the number of times you wake up in the middle of the night without realizing it and the times you go back to sleep. |
| Morning wake-up time | You record the exact time you woke up in the morning. |
| Total sleep time | It measures how long you've actually slept. |
| Time spent sleeping | It measures how long it takes to fall asleep after going to bed. |
| Time spent awake | The total time spent awake and awake during the night is calculated. |
Very important: Never take the device off unless your doctor tells you to. Because when you take it off, the device doesn't record any movement, so it thinks you're sleeping. This can give you inaccurate results. Some modern actigraphs can also measure things like light and body temperature in addition to movement. These can also affect your sleep, which can help diagnose conditions.
How does this work?
The brain of this `Actigraph` device is a sensor called `Accelerometer`. This is what detects movements. Just like when you turn your smartphone to the side, the screen also turns to that side, right? Or when you pick up the phone, the screen turns on, right? Those things are done by this `Accelerometer` inside the phone. Also, the `Accelerometer` in the `Actigraph` also records your movements several times per second.
What do the test results show?
After you return the device, the doctor will download the data to a computer. This data will appear as a graph.
- The bars on the graph go up during times of activity, such as when you wake up, walk, or exercise .
- When you are asleep and not moving at all , the graph becomes flat , meaning you can't see the bars.
The doctor will look at this graph to understand your sleep pattern. For example, if the graph has fewer sleep points at night, it means you haven't slept well. This could be a sign of a sleep disorder like insomnia.
What sleep disorders can be diagnosed with actigraphy?
This test analyzes your active and inactive patterns and helps identify several sleep problems .
- Insomnia: Difficulty falling asleep and staying asleep.
- Central disorders of hypersomnolence : Conditions in which there is excessive daytime sleepiness. For example, `( Narcolepsy )`.
- Circadian rhythm sleep disorders (problems with the body's internal clock): Disruption of the body's natural sleep-wake cycle. For example, ``delayed sleep phase syndrome'' (falling asleep late at night and not being able to wake up until morning).
However, this test is not very accurate in diagnosing sleep problems caused by leg discomfort, such as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS).
Are an Actigraph and a Smartwatch the same thing?
No. These two are completely different. Many people confuse the two. Let's see what the difference is.
| Feature | Actigraph | Smartwatch (e.g., Apple Watch) |
|---|---|---|
| Main objective | Measuring sleep and activity patterns for medical purposes. | For many tasks (phone calls, messages, fitness tracking, apps). |
| Technology | It mainly contains only an accelerometer . | Includes accelerometer, heart rate sensor, GPS, and more. |
| User interaction | Nothing can be done. It may not even show the time. Just wear it. | You can always interact with the screen, buttons, and apps. |
| Battery | Works for weeks without charging. | It should be charged daily or every other day. |
Simply put, an Actigraph is a device designed for a specific medical test. A Smartwatch is a multi-purpose gadget designed for everyday use. While a Smartwatch can give you a rough idea of your sleep, a doctor will use the more accurate and detailed data from an Actigraph to make a diagnosis.
Take-Home Message
- Actigraphy is a painless, very simple method of monitoring your sleep and wake patterns.
- For this purpose, a device called an 'Actigraph' is worn on the wrist or ankle like a watch.
- The data obtained from this helps your doctor diagnose sleep disorders such as insomnia.
- An Actigraph is not a smartwatch; it is a specialized medical device.
- It is very important to follow your doctor's instructions exactly to get accurate results. If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor about it.
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